Merten, Hans

Protestant clergyman, politician (Member of the Bundestag)

Born: 01.09.1908 in Wiesbaden

Died: 12.12.1967 in Bad Godesberg

Merten studied Protestant theology in Marburg and Berlin, after which he worked as a vicar in Dillenburg and Usingen. He then worked as a pastor at the Johannesstift in Berlin-Spandau, in Güstebiese an der Oder and from 1939 in Mörfelden. During the Second World War, he was a soldier and was taken prisoner.

From 1945, Merten worked as head of department at the "Protestant relief organization for prisoners of war, internees and returnees". At the same time, he chaired the "Working Group for Prisoner of War Issues" in Hesse from 1947. From 1949-51, he worked for the "Federal Ministry for Displaced Persons, Refugees and Victims of War" in Bonn and was simultaneously appointed head of the office of the West German states for problems and issues concerning prisoners of war and returnees.

From 1951 until his death, he was a member of the Bundestag in Bonn for the SPD, and from 1953 he held the direct mandate for the constituency of Giessen. From 1957-63 he served as deputy chairman of the "Committee on Defense" and was a member of the European Parliament from 1965-67.