Hans Modrow was a German politician best known as a transitional figure as the last communist prime minister of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) before free elections took place in March 1990. Modrow was an early member of Hitler’s Nazi party, he was part of Hitler Youth. He fought for the Nazis as part of a volunteer fire brigade. After the defeat of Germain he was taken in as a prisoner of war to Soviet Union, it is there that he became fascinated with communism. Upon his return t... moreHans Modrow was a German politician best known as a transitional figure as the last communist prime minister of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) before free elections took place in March 1990. Modrow was an early member of Hitler’s Nazi party, he was part of Hitler Youth. He fought for the Nazis as part of a volunteer fire brigade. After the defeat of Germain he was taken in as a prisoner of war to Soviet Union, it is there that he became fascinated with communism. Upon his return to German Modrow became active in Communist Party politics. He started at the Youth level and worked his way up the ranks. Modrow became prime minister four days after the Berlin Wall was opened in November 1989 with an overall aim of preventing the country from descending into chaos. In an attempt to keep East Germany from dissolving and uniting with West Germany, he invited opposition members and democrats to join the government and to also adopt reforms, like free elections, but it proved fruitless. After reunification, Modrow was tried and found guilty of electoral fraud committed in the Dresden municipal elections. He was sentenced to nine months on probation.
