Herbert Mertin

Herbert Mertin was a German politician for the Free [Democratic Party (Germany)|FDP] and was from 2016 to 2025 minister for justice in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Life and career

Mertin was born in 1958 in the Chilean city of Temuco and remigrated in 1971 to Germany.
Mertin became minister for justice in the Second [Dreyer cabinet|State Government] of Rhineland-Palatinate in 1999 until 2006 and again beginning in 2016 under Minister [president (Germany)|Minister-President] Malu Dreyer.
Mertin died unexpectedly at a hospital in Koblenz, on 21 February 2025, at the age of 66. His death came after he had collapsed at an event being held for honorary judges.