Germany: Doreen Denstädt, first black woman to become minister in the former GDR

Doreen Denstädt (Die Grünen), photographed after receiving her certificate of appointment as the new Minister of Justice of the Land of Thuringia this Wednesday, February 1, 2023. AFP - MARTIN SCHUTT

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2 mins

This is a first of the most symbolic, in Germany.

A black woman, Doreen Denstädt, has been regional minister since Wednesday, February 1 in the eastern part of the country, in the former GDR, where the far right is particularly strong.

This is a symbolic nomination of the party The Greens in the Land of Thuringia.

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With our correspondent in Berlin,

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 Being black in a white society – and eastern Germany lacks color – hasn't always been easy for Doreen Denstädt.

At 45, this daughter of a Tanzanian and a German, who grew up in the German Democratic Republic, knows what her more than symbolic appointment represents.

The announcement of his appointment as regional Minister of Justice, Migration and Consumer Affairs in Thuringia had given rise to numerous attacks against him on social networks.

The former rugby player is not impressed.

She was already the only black person in the police in her region.

She will now be the only minister of color in the former GDR.

The radical right recorded significant scores there.

On the very day of the nomination of ecologist Doreen Denstädt, a poll put the far-right Alternative for Germany party in the lead in Thuringia, with 26%.

The Prime Minister of Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow, presents Doreen Denstädt with his certificate of appointment as minister, this Wednesday, February 1, 2023. AFP - MARTIN SCHUTT

The Greens, which weigh little in this region, have made a symbolic appointment, but may be taking a political risk.

Doreen Denstädt is the second black minister in a German region.

Aminata Touré, another ecologist, is stationed in Schleswig-Holstein, in the western part of the country.

►To re-read: Germany: Aminata Touré, young minister of Malian origin, on the cover of Vogue magazine

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