Konrad
Konrad Töpfer (1928-1981) was Holy Roman Emperor as well as Minister-President of the Saarland. Born just before the Second Great War, Töpfer studied in Jervaine and Paris, where his experiences made him a liberal (though not socialist, as he would be accused of time to time by his political opponents). He served in the Saarland Guard for three years after college, and then began his life in politics.
During the reign of Stephan I, whom Töpfer met on two occasions, he began a slow rise in politics in the Saarland, running on platforms for better health care, wages and worker's rights. He finally managed to win the seat of Minister-President in 1973, during the near catastrophic reign of Leopold III. With the emperors death in 1974, a movement had begun to elect a "Republican Emperor" amongst the Germans. Finally, after a week and 3 days of debates, agreements, under-the-table deals and a heart attack by the other candidate, the King of Wuerttemburg, Töpfer was elected. Amongst some controversy, he refused several "Royal Rights," by not taking a royal name (Konrad I or otherwise), not pushing for a royal coat of arms (he opted for the Saarland's coat of arms), and not moving to Stephanzustand (not sure if that is correct German, but it's supposed to be that estate that Stephan I built during his reign outside Fulda). He also stated that "I am not reigning over the German peoples, but serving them as best I can."
His term as emperor was a unique one, and a short one at that, being only 2 years long (Minister-Presidents are elected to one year terms. He was able to successfully win again in the Saarland again, thus retaining his rank as emperor after much debate with the Electors). During his reign, he was able to strengthen relation with the Empire's neighbors, but failed at lowering crime rates or establishing universal health care.
When he failed to win the Minister-Presidency of the Saarland in 1976, he stepped down from both offices. He served as a minister for 2 more years in the Saarland, before retiring. He remained active with the Imperial government until he passed away in his sleep on September 5, 1981. He had no children, and his small estate and earnings passed to his nephew Wilhelm who lived in Berlin at the time.
During a poll in 1999, he was chosen (with 34% of the votes) as the second most popular Emperor since the Second Great War, with Stephan I winning with 48% of the votes.
| Preceded by: Leopold III |
 Holy Roman Emperor 1974-1976 |
Succeeded by: Maria |
