From 1990 to 2005 he was chairman of the SPD subdistrict Ostprignitz-Ruppin and 1992-1994 deputy chairman of the SPD in Brandenburg.
Neighboring are (from north clockwise) the districts Müritz and Mecklenburg-Strelitz in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the districts
He was the second son of George I, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau, but the first born by his fourth wife Anna, daughter of Albert VIII, Count of Lindow-Ruppin.
The boundary also comprised the minor lordships of Ruppin and Lubusz Land west of the Oder River; since 1575 also Beeskow and Storkow.