Between 1994 and 1999 she served as the Minister for Health and Social Affairs (as the ministerial department was configured at that time) in Thuringia, in succession to the Christian Democrat, Frank-Michael Pietzsch [de].[3] Later, between 1999 and 2004, she served as one of the two vice presidents of the Thuringia Landtag (regional legislative assembly).[2][4]