Life and work will not be forgotten

Green Main-Kinzig comment on the death of Erich Pipa: ‘One of the most influential politicians in the circle’

"We are mourning for one of the most influential politicians in the Main-Kinzig district", say the parliamentary group executive and the district executive of the Greens Main-Kinzig, Reiner Bousonville, Viola Haßdenteufel, Jakob Mähler and Ahmet Cetiner. “With Erich Pipa, a great personality from the Main-Kinzig district has died. With his tireless efforts, he has decisively shaped the Main-Kinzig district.’

It was not only in times of joint coalition that the cooperation with Erich Pipa was appreciated: ‘As a district councillor, he spoke on an equal footing not only with his own but with all parties. For him, cooperation was important, for the benefit of the people of the Main-Kinzig-Kreis.’ Nor did he shy away from showing a clear edge: ‘What he was appreciated and respected for was, in addition to his tireless work and dedication, his clear stance on important contemporary events.’

Examples include his push to ‘simply take care of the long-term unemployed themselves in a circle or his clear stance for better reception, accommodation and care of refugees. He has fired for issues and admitted to them even in the face of fierce headwinds.”

This has ensured that Pipa has received cross-party recognition: “We have always appreciated the cooperation between us Greens and the former Landrat. Erich Pipa was a welcome guest of our group when we in the Main-Kinzig-Kreis were faced with big decisions or wanted to exchange ideas on individual priorities.”

Unfortunately, he also had to get to know the dark side. Because of his clear opinion, he has received death threats and has repeatedly been the victim of hostility. Instead of withdrawing, however, he continued to stand up for his opinion. This clearly shows the backbone and fighting spirit of Erich Pipa, who as a more contentious, but always as a fair discussion partner wanted to achieve and also achieved a steady improvement of the circle", said the board of the district parliamentary group and district board.

This also includes the expansion of broadband infrastructure, which was unique in Germany at the time in this size: ‘It was unusual for a circle to simply set up the Internet for businesses and private individuals themselves, and it was thanks to the former district administrator, who, instead of waiting for others, preferred to tackle it directly himself.’

He laid many foundations in the circle and wrote many success stories: “Be it in social policy or in the development of domestic infrastructure. We have been able to build on these success stories over the past few years and can build on them in the future. The life and work of Erich Pipa will not be forgotten", concludes the board of the Kreistagsfraaktion and Kreisvorstand.