13 Facts About Lothar Bisky

Lothar Bisky was the chairman of the Party of Democratic Socialism, the successor of East Germany's Socialist Unity Party.

Lothar Bisky was rector of the University of Film and Television from 1986 to 1990.

In 1995, it was discovered that Lothar Bisky had been an informer for the Stasi.

Subsequent investigations revealed that Lothar Bisky was registered by the Stasi with the code names of Bienert between 1966 and 1970, and as Klaus Heine from 1987.

Lothar Bisky was described in Stasi records as, the highest level of trust for an informer.

When Lothar Bisky was promoted, the Main Directorate for Reconnaissance of the Stasi issued a statement where Lothar Bisky was described as "a reliable comrade, who strictly follows orders and always is honest with the Ministry for State Security ".

Lothar Bisky was chairman of the PDS from 1993 until his resignation in 2000 over a defeat for the executive committee on support for United Nations military intervention.

Lothar Bisky was re-elected chairman in 2003 after this "left turn" had cost the party its seats in the Bundestag in 2002.

Lothar Bisky was seen to be on the moderate, social democratic wing of the party and was a long-time close ally of the party's most prominent figure, Gregor Gysi.

Lothar Bisky was often regarded for his abilities to lead meaningful discussions between parties of completely opposite viewpoints, be it within his own party or in media events with other groups.

Lothar Bisky was married and the father of three sons.

Lothar Bisky's oldest son, Jens Bisky, is a journalist and writer and the second-oldest, Norbert Bisky, is a painter.

Lothar Bisky died in a hospital in Leipzig as a result of falling down the stairs in his apartment in August 2013.