Hermann Otto Solms

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Hermann Otto Solms (born November 24, 1940 in Lich, Germany; also known as Prince Hermann Otto of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich) is a German politician of the Free Democratic Party (FDP).

From 1991 to 1998 he was Chairman of the FDP Bundestag Faction. Since 1998, he has been Vice President of the Bundestag.

[edit] Training and Career

After completing his secondary education (Abitur) in 1960, Solms carried out his required military service and then completed a degree in Finance in 1964. He studied Economics in Frankfurt am Main and Geissen, Germany and Kansas, USA, finishing in 1969 with an economics degree and in 1975 with a doctoral degree in agriculture (dr. agr.).

In 1970 he began working as a researcher at the Institute for Environmental Management Studies at Geissen University and in 1973 he became the personal advisor of Bundestag vice president Liselotte Funcke. Since 1976 he has been an independent consultant.

[edit] Family

Hermann Otto Solms is married and has three children.

[edit] Party

Since 1971, Solms has been a member of the FDP, holding the post of Treasury Secretary from 1987 to 1999. After the death of his successor, Gunter Rexrodt, Solms was again appointed Secretary of the Treasury in the summer of 2004, confirmed on May 5, 2005 in Cologne by a majority of 90.6%.

He has been a member of the Bundestag (MdB) since 1980, serving as Deputy Chairman from 1985 to 1991, and as Chairman of the FDP Bundestag Faction from January 15, 1991 to October 26, 1998, at which time he was selected to serve as the Vice President of the Bundestag. He was selected for this office again in 2002 and in 2005.