Simplify the following text for a Grade 10 native English-speaking person.
Original: In this position he struggled to preserve the industrial base of the state , which was based on steel production and coal mining with subsidies , and served as President of the Bundesrat in 1992\/93 .
Simplified: As minister-president , Lafontaine tried to keep the traditional industries of steel production and coal mining in the state with subsidies . He was also President of the Bundesrat in 1992\/93 .