Political Frailty

[drol 11,957]

On 18/07/2020 at 20:22, drol said:

A quick list of old Chinese politicos, one of the hardest thing to kill in this world.

 

1)Song Ping (1917): political leader of Gansu who rose to the Organization Department in the 80s. He was the one responsible for ending the careers of those who opposed Tien An Men repression. Due to his excellent work (and profound hatred for Zhao Zhiyang) he was promoted to the Politburo after the massacre. Considered very close to Hu JIntao. Widowed since last year.

2)Wan Haifeng (1920): one of the last founding fathers of PRC and commander of volounteers during the Korea war. Widowed since last year, increasingly frail, will be awarded a big honour later this year for his Korea service.

3)Zou Yu (1920): minister of Justice, he was hospitalized in a serious condition in 2017, but got discharged and made appearances as late as last September. Also known because his granddaughter is fine.

4)Zheng Tuobin (1924): former Minister of Trade whose retirement benefits are incredibly high.

5)Lin Jiamei (1924): wife of Li Xiannan and former First Lady. Was incredibly frail already in 2015.

6)He Jingzhi (1924): minister of Culture and famous writer.

7)Ren Jianxin (1925): president of the Supreme Court and successor of Zou Yu as Minister of Justice. Not heard so much nowadays.

8)Wang Hanbin (1925): old cadre behind the HK Basic Laws. Seen on a wheelchair back in 2016.

9)Wang Binqian (1925): former minister of Finance, living in an apartment paid by the government.

10)Jiang Zemin (1926): the human face of Chinese regime who would rise atop of the system from his Shangai political position and brought with him the infamous clique. Famous for his funny outburst and for looking like a toad, suffered a severe heart attack in 2012 and was longtime rumored dead. Doing well.

11)Zou Jiahua (1926): vice premier and Politburo member.

12)Wang Yeping (1928): missus of Jiang Zemin. Old but well and frequently appears in public.

13)Zhu Rongji (1928): progressist PM who believed in human rights. Recently made the headlines as he did not take part to the 70th PRC anniversary to protest against what is happening in Hong Kong.

14)Tian Jiyun (1929): former Vice-premier, rival of Jiang Zemin and protected by Zhao Zhiyang. Last appearance in 2018, but was fine. Considered a progressist who always poke fun at the hardliners.

15)Chi Haotian (1929): former Minister of Defence who was physically responsible of Tien An Men repression and showed great brutality. Somehow, still regarded as a national hero.

16)Hu Qili (1929): he paid his support to Tien An Men protest with his political career. Still, as a Politburo member, he opposed the martial law. Gravely ill in 2018, now bedridden and was visited last January by the Paramount Leader.

17)Peng Peiyun (1929): Wang Hanbin wife and Tibet human rights criminal

18)Han Zhijun (1930): widow of Hua Guofeng and never appears in public, as she didn't even when he was in power.

19)Yan Mingfu (1931): one of the very few high-ranking cadres who opposed martial law at Tien An Men and paid with his career (thanks, mr. Song). Suffering from a "long-term" illness which forces him on a wheelchair.

20)Song Jian (1931): legendary aerospace engineer and former minister of science.

21)Li Lanqing (1932): close friend of Li Ruihuan and former Vice-premier who focused on national education and steered clear from controversy.

22)Li Ruihuan (1934): definitely the good guy who had a direct contact with the people, even holding a radio broadcast in which he answered questions. Always seen as a moderate among hardliners.

23)Liu Zhongli (1934): former minister of Finance.

24)Wang Meng (1934): minister of Culture and famous writer

25)Luo Gan (1935): Jiang's main henchman, reportedly in failing health in 2021.

26)Cao Gangchuan (1935): minister of Defense, who was a relief after Chi Haotian.

27)Tang Jiaxuan (1938): former foreign minister.

865 days without a death.

 

I now expect them to fall very quickly.

[arghton 6,755]

Alejandro Giammattei, President of Guatemala since 2020, hospitalised with upper gastrointestinal bleeding but already discharged yesterday. Overweight, has multiple sclerosis, a pacemaker, hypertension and other ailments

[Superstar 295]

Jim Kolbe, Republican gay rights activist who served Arizona in congress, dead at 80.

[Ulitzer95 12,654]

Bus Pass Elvis aka Dave Bishop, serial UK election candidate and leader of the Church of the Militant Elvis Party (wiki), reportedly dead.

First stood for election in 1997, and most recently stood in March 2022.
 

 

[Ulitzer95 12,654]

On 04/12/2022 at 19:33, Ulitzer95 said:

Bus Pass Elvis aka Dave Bishop, serial UK election candidate and leader of the Church of the Militant Elvis Party (wiki), reportedly dead.

First stood for election in 1997, and most recently stood in March 2022.
 

 

BBC obit

[arghton 6,755]

Adolfas Šleževičius, Prime Minister of Lithuania 1993-1996, dead at 74. During his tenure Lithuania reintroduced Lithuanian litas as the currency.

[Gisooo 3,373]

Former Prime Minister and former President of Albania Sali Berisha (Wiki) was punched in the face today during a parade.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl00ejeKXxV/?hl=en

[Gisooo 3,373]

2 minutes ago, Gisooo said:

Former Prime Minister and former President of Albania Sali Berisha (Wiki) was punched in the face today during a parade.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl00ejeKXxV/?hl=en

 

His face after the punch

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl06q_itj7K/?hl=en

[Perhaps 1,423]

Dead in a few days I reckon, anyone fancy a sweepstake?

[arghton 6,755]

On 12/08/2022 at 23:38, arghton said:

Updated list...up to 1932, and I've dug out a lot of new names.

 

Nguyễn Quyết (1922) Former VP 1987-1997 and General, last living person to have held the title when it was named Deputy Chairman of the Council of State. Will be 100 in a week and seems to be in amazing health for someone his age, able to walk without aid.

Nguyễn Thọ Chân (1922) Labor minister 1974-1981, former ambassador to the Soviet Union and Sweden.

Huỳnh Đắc Hương (1922) Major general, former Deputy Minister of Invalids and Social Affairs who has been a party member for 80 years and participates or participated in events frequently, called a "historical witness".

Vũ Xuân Vinh (1923) Lt. Gen and seemingly a minor name in politics. Seems to be alive.

Vũ Oanh (1924) Former Politburo member.

Nguyễn Quốc Thước (1926) Lt. Gen and old politburo member.

Vũ Oanh prematurely dead at 98 from a "long illness" at 108 Military Central Hospital.

 

...going through the list 

• Vũ Xuân Vinh seems to be very ill. He retired from all his duties in 2015 and apparently isn't healthy enough to be interviewed anymore. Probably a permanent resident of 108 Hospital too.

• Nguyễn Thị Bình seems to be a permanent resident of 108 too, all the recent images of her have been from a hospital, next to a hospital bed and a heart monitor.

• Đặng Bích Hà has failed to make appearances in recent years.

• Đặng Văn Thân has been ill for a longer time. Not sure what exactly his illness is but he seems to have suffered a severe stroke years ago and has been hospitalised multiple times since.

[arghton 6,755]

On 07/03/2022 at 22:24, arghton said:

Paavo Lipponen gave an interview today. Sounded frail but (somehow) otherwise in a very good condition for a 80-year-old with a long history of health issues.

Paavo Lipponen appeared at the Finnish independence day reception today, looked suprisingly good considering his previous health issues (7+ heart operations including a "massive bypass operation" in 2017, heart attacks, aneurysm) However sat down right after shaking hands with the President and the First Lady.

From other names I've mentioned Erik Bruun, General Gustav Hägglund, Archiater Risto Pelkonen were there.

 

And of course Elisabeth Rehn, first woman to be a Minister of Defence in Europe (1990-1995 - Sixth in the world, the five before her were Sri Lanka's Sirimavo Bandaranaike, India's Indira Gandhi, Dame Eugenia Charles of Dominica, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan and Nicaragua's Violeta Chamorro, all dead except for Chamorro)

[Ulitzer95 12,654]

On 05/11/2022 at 17:06, Ulitzer95 said:

Doris Margaret Anderson (wiki) dead at 100.

And just a month later, the only other centenarian Canadian former senator Joan Neiman (wiki) has died at 102.

[arghton 6,755]

On 05/10/2022 at 14:44, arghton said:

I expect Silayev is in bad health as he hasn't made any appearances in years. He'll be 92 this month.

Forgot to mention that as far as I know Ivan Silayev also spent a lot of time in the Chernobyl danger zone. Remember what long-term effects it had on Viktor Bryukhanov, Nikolai Tarakanov...

[alt obits guy 3,371]

Hy Kloc, a former Democratic Idaho State Representative, has died. He was 75.

 

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2022-12-07/former-boise-lawmaker-hy-kloc-dies-at-75

[Joey Russ 7,228]

8 minutes ago, alt obits guy said:

Hy Kloc, a former Democratic Idaho State Representative, has died. He was 75.

 

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2022-12-07/former-boise-lawmaker-hy-kloc-dies-at-75

Bye Kloc

[arghton 6,755]

On 03/10/2021 at 02:15, arghton said:

https://www.protothema.gr/greece/article/1167192/efuge-apo-ti-zoi-o-ioannis-palaiokrassas/

Ioannis Palaiokrassas, Greek Minister of Finance 1990-1992 dead aged 87.

Also a member of the Third Delors Commission. 

 

Living Members of the Delors Commissions:

Jacques Delors (1925-)

 

First (only 3/18 alive including Delors, 1985-1988):

Stanley Clinton-Davis, Baron Clinton-Davis (1928-) Vice-President, Environment, consumer protection and transport.

Abel Matutes (1941-) Credit, investments, financial instruments and small & medium-sized enterprises.

 

Second (6/17 alive including Delors, 1988-1992):

Martin Bangemann (1934-2022) Vice-President, Internal market and industrial affairs.

Filippo Maria Pandolfi (1927-) Vice-President, Science, research, development, telecommunications and innovation

Ray MacSharry (1938-) Agriculture and rural development.

Abel Matutes (1941-) Mediterranean and Latin American policy.

Vasso Papandreou (1944-) Employment, industrial relations and social affairs.

Christiane Scrivener (1925-) Taxation and customs union.

 

Third (9/18 alive including Delors, 1993-1994):

Martin Bangemann (1934-2022) Vice-President Internal market, industrial affairs and ICT.

Marcelino Oreja, 1st Marquis of Oreja (1935-) Transport and energy.

Rene Steichen (1942-) Agriculture and rural development.

Abel Matutes (1941-) Transport and energy.

Raniero Vanni d'Archirafi (1931-) Institutional reform, internal market and enterprise.

Christiane Scrivener (1925-) Taxation, customs union and consumer policies.

Padraig Flynn (1939-) Social affairs and employment. 

Joao de Deus Pinheiro (1945-) Relations with Parliament, culture and audiovisual.

Hans van der Broek (1936-) External relations and enlargement.

 

Delors is also the oldest out of all the living ones. Pinheiro is the youngest living one, however Peter Sutherland (1946-2018, Delors I) and Manuel Marin (1949-2017, all commissions) were born later.

 

 

Before the Delors Commission:

 

Thorn Commission (1981-1985, 2/17 alive):

Étienne Davignon (1932-) Vice-President, Industrial Affairs, Energy, Research and Science.

Christopher Tugendhat, Baron Tugendhat (1937-) Vice-President, Budget and Financial Control, Financial Institutions and Taxation.

Michael O'Kennedy (1936-2022) Personnel and Administration.

 

Jenkins Commission (1977-1981, 2/13 alive)

Étienne Davignon (1932-) Internal Market, Customs Union, Industrial Affairs.

Christopher Tugendhat, Baron Tugendhat (1937-) Budget and Financial Control, Financial Institutions  -

 

From before the Jenkins Commission: None.

Updated this a bit.

Hans van den Broek has suffered from Alzheimer's for atleast four years. Not sure about the others but René Steichen already looked horrible in 2014, and he's just 80.

As Michael O'Kennedy died earlier this year, only Davignon and Baron Tugendhat remaining from the Thorn & Jenkins Commissions.

[arghton 6,755]

On 09/06/2022 at 22:23, arghton said:

PERU

Francisco Morales Bermúdez (1921-2022) President/Military dictator 1975-1980, Prime Minister 1975, Minister three times between 1968 and 1975. Wheelchairbound but not very frail.

Uriel García Cáceres (1922) Health Minister 1980-1982. Has looked ancient for ages but seems like he's doing well.

Patricio Ricketts (1924) Former Minister of Education. Not 100 percent sure he's alive.

Martha Hildebrandt (1925) Fujimorist President of the Congress 1999-2000. Frail.

Peruvian politician, ancient Fujimorist Martha Hildebrandt finally dead at 97. Had "an emergency" but had already died by the time the paramedics arrived.

 

Susana Richa de Torrijos of Panama made an appearance somewhere last month and looked absolutely amazing for 98, probably one of the healthiest 98-year-old politicians I've seen. Also still a Member of the National Assembly. I guess having a dictator in the family might sometimes be good for your health.

[time 8,618]

On 03/10/2022 at 02:35, Gooseberry Crumble said:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-sussex-63090098

 

Garry Peltzer  Dunn, the former Conservative  mayor of Brighton and Hove  and a councillor  for 50 years has died aged 79 

Local   MPs   the Green partys Caroline Lucas and  Labours Peter Kyle  have shared their condolences.

 

The by-election for this took place yesterday, and went to Labour. 

[time 8,618]

Old Lord Young, dead at 90.

[Summer in Transylvania 2,189]

On 14/04/2020 at 19:14, msc said:

David Young b. 1932 (Minister without Portfolio 1984-5, Employment Secretary 1985-7, Trade Secretary 1987-9)

David Young, Baron Young of Graffham, dead at 90.

Edit: Self-Cliving: . 

[msc 18,479]

58 minutes ago, Summer in Transylvania said:

David Young, Baron Young of Graffham, dead at 90.

Edit: Self-Cliving: . 

 

To be fair, took me a moment to twig time meant the Thatcher Minister, as I was confusing him with Lord Hughes, the frail guy. Who apparently died in January. It's been a long year.

[time 8,618]

1 hour ago, Summer in Transylvania said:

David Young, Baron Young of Graffham, dead at 90.

Edit: Self-Cliving: . 

 

8 minutes ago, msc said:

 

To be fair, took me a moment to twig time meant the Thatcher Minister, as I was confusing him with Lord Hughes, the frail guy. Who apparently died in January. It's been a long year.

When I posted, even I didn't realise who he was, exactly, as the link was about two lines & "more to follow".

[Ulitzer95 12,654]

8 minutes ago, msc said:

 

To be fair, took me a moment to twig time meant the Thatcher Minister, as I was confusing him with Lord Hughes, the frail guy. Who apparently died in January. It's been a long year.

I knew it was probably David Young (Lord Young of Graffham) who time was talking about as he was the oldest, but there is also George Young (Lord Young of Cookham) who is 82 next year and Anthony Young (Lord Young of Norwood Green) who'll turn 81 soon.

Both still active in the House of Lords though so probably a few years left on them yet. Lord David Young should have been on our radar as he retired from the HoL earlier this year.

[Toast 16,146]

Would have been a Scavvy Hunt hit.

[The Old Crem 3,608]

1 hour ago, Ulitzer95 said:

I knew it was probably David Young (Lord Young of Graffham) who time was talking about as he was the oldest, but there is also George Young (Lord Young of Cookham) who is 82 next year and Anthony Young (Lord Young of Norwood Green) who'll turn 81 soon.

Both still active in the House of Lords though so probably a few years left on them yet. Lord David Young should have been on our radar as he retired from the HoL earlier this year.

When I saw the news I thought it was George Young until I saw his age and thought I don’t think he is quite that old.