Günther Oettinger
| Günther Oettinger | |
|---|---|
 | |
| European Commissioner for Energy | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 9 February 2010 | |
| President | José Manuel Barroso |
| Preceded by | Andris Piebalgs |
| Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg | |
| In office 21 April 2005 – 9 February 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Erwin Teufel |
| Succeeded by | Stefan Mappus |
| Chairperson of the CDU Baden-Württemberg | |
| In office 29 April 2005 – 20 November 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Erwin Teufel |
| Succeeded by | Stefan Mappus |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 October 1953 Stuttgart, West Germany |
| Political party | Christian Democratic Union |
| Spouse(s) | Inken Oettinger (1994–2007) |
| Alma mater | University of Tübingen |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Religion | Protestantism |
| Website | Official website |
Günther Hermann Oettinger (born 15 October 1953) is a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He became European Commissioner for Energy in the European Commission on 10 February 2010[1] and is affiliated with the European People's Party (EPP). Oettinger was Minister-President of the state of Baden-Württemberg between 2005 and 2010 and chairman of the CDU Baden-Württemberg between 2005 and 2010.
Political career
Oettinger embarked on his political career as a member of the Junge Union, the youth organisation of the CDU; he was chairman of the organization in Baden-Württemberg from 1983 to 1989. From 2001 to 2005 he was chairman of the CDU party in Nordwürttemberg (North Württemberg). He was also chairman of the federal committee for media politics of the CDU.
Oettinger has been a member of the State parliament (Landtag) of Baden-Württemberg since 1984. From 1991 to 2005 he was leader of the CDU parliamentary party.
In October 2004 the Minister President of Baden-Württemberg Erwin Teufel announced that he was to step down as Minister President and Chairman of the Baden-Württemberg CDU, effective 19 April 2005. Oettinger was voted his successor after internal party pre-elections.
On 29 April 2005, Oettinger became Chairman of the CDU in Baden-Württemberg, eight days after succeeding Teufel as Minister President. In 2006 the CDU held onto their majority in the Baden-Württemberg state election; Oettinger was re-elected Minister President. Oettinger heads a coalition regional government made up of the CDU and FDP.
On 24 October 2009, Angela Merkel's new centre-right government chose Oettinger to be a Commissioner in the European Commission taking office on 10 February 2010. The same day he ceased to be Minister President of Baden-Württemberg.
In a leaked diplomatic cable from the United States embassy cable entitled "Lame Duck German Governor Kicked Upstairs as New Energy Commissioner in Brussels," Deputy Chief of Mission in Germany, Greg Delawie notes that
"Chancellor Angela Merkel nominated Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW) Minister President Guenther Oettinger as EU Energy Commissioner primarily to remove an unloved lame duck from an important CDU bastion." Before going on to claim "Oettinger is noted for a lackluster public speaking style, and some commentators have asserted that Merkel, who has often stood out at EU meetings, wanted to appoint a German Commissioner who would not outshine her."
Personal life
Oettinger married his wife Inken in 1994. The couple has one son. On 9 December 2007, Oettinger and Inken announced that they had separated.[2] Three days later, Oettinger's wife was reported to have already been in a relationship for 9 months with Otmar Westerfellhaus, a senior manager at Stuttgart carmaker Porsche.[3]
Since separating from his wife, Oettinger's liaison with Friederike Beyer, a PR event organiser from Hamburg, who is 25 years his junior, has been covered widely by the German press.[4]
Eulogy controversy
On 11 April 2007, Oettinger held a controversial eulogy on one of his predecessors as Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, Hans Filbinger, who was forced to resign in 1978 after allegations surfaced about his role as a navy lawyer and judge in the Second World War, and who died on 1 April at the age of 93.
In his speech at the memorial service in Freiburg, Oettinger described Filbinger as "not a National-Socialist" but as "an opponent of the Nazi regime", who "could flee the constraints of the regime as little as million others". Referring to Filbinger's role as a navy judge, Oettinger pointed out that no-one lost his life because of a verdict by Filbinger and that he did not wield the power and freedom suggested by his critics.[5] Oettinger was subsequently accused by politicians and the media of playing down the significance of the Nazi dictatorship. German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted with public admonishment, stating that she would have preferred it for "the critical questions" to be raised.[6] Oettinger was also criticized by opposition politicians and the Central Council of Jews in Germany; some of his critics even called for his dismissal.
Oettinger at first defended his speech, adding that he regretted any "misunderstanding" about his eulogy although he did not withdraw his comments on Filbinger's past.[7] However, on 16 April he distanced himself from his comments.[8]
Flag Controversy
Oettinger suggested that heavily indebted countries should fly their flag at half mast outside EU buildings. As a result several MEP's have written a letter of protest to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, demanding for an apology or his resignation. Oettinger backed down, saying he did not support the idea of flying flags at half mast.[9]
References
- ↑ "New commission set to take office", European Union, 9 February 2010
- ↑ Oettinger marriage fails after 13 years n-tv online, 9 December 2007 (German)
- ↑ Inken Oettinger loves Porsche Manager Focus magazine, 12 December 2007 (German)
- ↑ Lover's bliss – Oettinger with new partner Focus magazine, 14.11.2008 (German)
- ↑ Full text of Oettinger's eulogy for Hans Filbinger (in German) (Microsoft Word document, 232 KB). Frankfurter Rundschau, 12 April 2007.
- ↑ "Nach umstrittener Trauerrede zu Filbinger: Merkel rügt Oettinger." Tagesschau online, 13. April 2007.
- ↑ "Eulogy for Former Nazi Prompts Criticism", The New York Times, 14 April 2007
- ↑ "Oettingers Weltsicht" Süddeutsche Zeitung vom 17 April 2007
- ↑ German EU boss backs down on flag at half mast bid Irish Independent, 2011-09-14.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Günther Oettinger. |
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Erwin Teufel |
Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg 2005–2010 |
Succeeded by Stefan Mappus |
| Preceded by Günter Verheugen |
German European Commissioner 2010–present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Andris Piebalgs |
European Commissioner for Energy 2010–present | |
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