Peter von Oertzen: leftist reformist, Marxist, and democratic socialist. Growing up in Berlin amidst Prussian traditions and conservative revolution, shaped by National Socialism and war, Peter von Oertzen transformed into a leftist socialist and Marxist after 1945. Alongside his establishment as a political scientist in Lower Saxony, his political focus was on informal networks, magazine projects, and union educational work. Around 1968, he advanced to responsible positions within the SPD. The member of the state parliament, district chairman, and Lower Saxony's Minister of Education navigated the tensions between conservative opposition, extra-parliamentary criticism, and governmental responsibility. For 20 years, he represented the left wing in the party's executive board. As a thought leader, he was concerned about the cohesion of the party and recognized the Greens early on as a significant force.