description Walter Scheel Overview
Walter Scheel was a prominent German politician affiliated with the Free Democratic Party (FDP) who played a key role in West German politics during the Cold War. Serving as Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor from 1969 to 1974 under Chancellor Willy Brandt, he was instrumental in implementing *Ostpolitik*, the policy of normalizing relations with Eastern European countries. Following Brandt's resignation in 1974, Scheel briefly served as acting Chancellor before assuming the office of Federal President of West Germany, a post he held until 1979.
help Walter Scheel FAQ
What offices did Walter Scheel hold under Willy Brandt?
Scheel served as West Germany's Federal Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor from 1969 to 1974 under Chancellor Willy Brandt. He was a leading figure in the Free Democratic Party, or FDP. [German Federal President biography](https://www.bundespraesident.de/EN/role-and-functions/the-german-federal-presidents/walter-scheel/walter-scheel_node.html)
Was Walter Scheel ever Chancellor of Germany?
No, Scheel was Vice Chancellor rather than Chancellor during the SPD-FDP coalition led by Willy Brandt. He later became Federal President of West Germany from 1974 to 1979. [German government biography](https://www.bundespraesident.de/EN/role-and-functions/the-german-federal-presidents/walter-scheel/walter-scheel_node.html)
Which political party did Walter Scheel lead?
Scheel belonged to the FDP and served as its federal chairman from 1968 to 1974. The FDP's coalition role allowed him to serve in government alongside the Social Democratic Party under Brandt. [German Federal President biography](https://www.bundespraesident.de/EN/role-and-functions/the-german-federal-presidents/walter-scheel/walter-scheel_node.html)
What did Walter Scheel do before becoming foreign minister?
He served as Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation from 1961 to 1966 under Chancellors Konrad Adenauer and Ludwig Erhard. He had also been a member of the Bundestag since 1953. [German Federal President biography](https://www.bundespraesident.de/EN/role-and-functions/the-german-federal-presidents/walter-scheel/walter-scheel_node.html)
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