Hermann Kastner

Hermann Kastner (1886–1957) was a German politician and served as the deputy prime minister of East Germany between 1949 and 1950. He co-founded the Liberal Democratic Party of Germany (LDPD). He defected and obtained political asylum from West Germany shortly before he died in Munich.

Early life and education Kastner was born in Berlin on 25 October 1886. In his thesis Kastner adopted a liberal approach towards the vaccination laws arguing that compulsory vaccination should be abolishee and that those who did not want to be vaccinated should only be fined an amount of money.

Career and activities Kastner worked at different city councils between 1912 and 1917. During this period he was also a deputy in the Provisional People's Chamber. He was appointed deputy prime minister of East Germany as part of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Otto Grotewohl in October 1949 and was in office until July 1950.

Kastner was expelled from the LDPD on 25 July 1950. Kastner was rehabilitated in 1951. He had a son who defected to West Germany in April 1950 and a daughter from this marriage.

Years later it was revealed that Kastner was the leading informer of the Gehlen Organization, an intelligence agency established by the USA following the end of World War II.