For me still the greatest Kanzler of Germany. He worked hard to reconcile Germany with it’s eastern neighbors for the terrible second world war. His most symbolic act was when he got down on his knees in Warsaw at the ghetto memorial. But these gestures and diplomacy of good will was not welcomed at home - some people considered it treason and they tried several times to kick him out of office.

In a typical twist of fate he was ousted from office because of an east German spy, who was one of his closest advisors.

Herr Brandt did something that opened the chance for proper relationships to the east. He had the guts to make unpopular steps for his country for a better future together. It was also part of Germany’s struggle to look into the mirror and concede it’s own wrongdoing after the war. Something the Japanese have hardly done till today.

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