Günther Oettinger

Günther Oettinger
European Commissioner for the Budget and Human Resources
Designate
Taking office
31 December 2016
President Jean-Claude Juncker
Succeeding Kristalina Georgieva
European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society
Assumed office
1 November 2014
President Jean-Claude Juncker
Preceded by Neelie Kroes (Digital Agenda)
European Commissioner for Energy
In office
9 February 2010 – 1 November 2014
President José Manuel Barroso
Preceded by Andris Piebalgs
Succeeded by Miguel Arias Cañete (Climate Action and Energy)
Maroš Šefčovič (Energy Union)
Minister President of Baden-Württemberg
In office
21 April 2005 – 9 February 2010
Preceded by Erwin Teufel
Succeeded by Stefan Mappus
Leader of the Christian Democratic Union in Baden-Württemberg
In office
29 April 2005 – 20 November 2009
Preceded by Erwin Teufel
Succeeded by Stefan Mappus
Personal details
Born Günther Hermann Oettinger
(1953-10-15) 15 October 1953
Stuttgart, West Germany
(now Germany)
Political party Christian Democratic Union
Spouse(s) Inken Stange (1994–2007)
Children 1
Alma mater University of Tübingen
Website Official website

Günther Hermann Oettinger (born 15 October 1953) is a German politician and a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

Oettinger was appointed European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society in the European Commission on 1 November 2014,[1] European Union (since 1 July 2014 also Vice President of the Barroso II commission) and is affiliated with the European People's Party (EPP). He served as Minister President of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg between 2005 and 2010 and chairman of the CDU Baden-Württemberg from 2005 until 2010.

Early life and education

Oettinger studied Law and Economics at the University of Tübingen. He worked in an accounting and tax consulting business, before being licensed in 1984 to practice law and worked in this sector until 1988.

Political career

Oettinger embarked in politics 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 served as Chairman of the CDU Party in Nordwürttemberg (North Württemberg), and has also been CDU Chairman of the Federal Committee for Media Politics. Oettinger was elected as a Member of the State Parliament (Landtag) of Baden-Württemberg in 1984. From 1991 to 2005 he was Leader of the CDU Parliamentary Group.

Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, 2004–10

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 elected as his successor by CDU internal party pre-elections. His referendum win – with 60.6 percent of the vote versus 39.4 percent for state Education Minister Annette Schavan – was widely seen at the time as a defeat for Teufel, who had promoted Schavan as his preferred successor.

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 headed a coalition regional government comprising CDU and FDP members.

Oettinger was a CDU delegate to the Federal Convention for the purpose of electing the President of Germany in 2004 and 2009. Between 2007 and 2009, he served as co-chair (alongside Peter Struck) of the Second Commission on the modernization of the federal state (Föderalismuskommission II), which had been established to reform the division of powers between federal and state authorities in Germany.

Following the 2009 federal elections, Oettinger was part of the CDU/CSU team in the negotiations with the FDP on a coalition agreement; he joined the working group on economic affairs and energy policy, led by Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Rainer Brüderle. On 24 October 2009, Angela Merkel's new centre-right coalition government chose Oettinger to be a Commissioner of the European Commission. He took office on 10 February 2010, the same day he stepped down as Minister President of Baden-Württemberg.

In a leaked diplomatic cable from the United States Embassy entitled "Lame Duck German Governor Kicked Upstairs as New Energy Commissioner in Brussels," U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission in Germany, Greg Delawie notes: "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". Delawie's cable further states: "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!"

Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Energy, 2010–14

In the Second Barroso Commission, Oettinger was allocated the Energy portfolio, which had just grown in importance after the Lisbon Treaty gave the EU complete authority in the area.[2]

At his confirmation hearing before the European Parliament in 2010, Oettinger pledged to enforce the principle of solidarity on energy policy as enshrined in the EU's Lisbon Treaty so that no member state could be left disadvantaged. He struck a chord with parliamentarians by basing his security of supply strategy equally on diversifying gas transportation routes from third countries and promoting indigenous renewable energy.[2] Asked about his stance on nuclear energy Oettinger said that although his country Germany sees nuclear as a bridging technology, he had no reservations against France's plans to build more nuclear capacity nor Austria's decision to abandon the technology altogether.[2]

The first phase of Oettinger’s term was dominated by the Nabucco pipeline debate, his many trips to Azerbaijan and the Caspian region as well as his negotiations with Russian energy company Gazprom. Oettinger lobbied both for the Nabucco pipeline and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, arguing they will be needed in the medium-term as routes to help secure European gas supply.[3] The second phase began with the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011 and the resulting energy transition in Germany.[4] Oettinger advised that there should be no new taxes on energy within the EU, and current taxes should not be raised, if prices are to be kept competitive with rivals fuelled by cheaper shale gas in the US.[5]

Throughout his time in office, Oettinger regularly made headlines for his comments on constituent EU member countries’ economic situations. In remarks published by German media in May 2013, he expressed doubts about France’s economic recovery and said "too many in Europe still believe that everything will be fine." France, he said, "is completely unprepared to do what’s necessary," while Italy, Bulgaria and Romania "are essentially ungovernable."[6] Oettinger has also repeatedly been in conflict with the German government.[4] In an interview with Die Welt in 2014, he criticized the German Federal Government’s plan to allow longer-serving employees to retire at the age of 63 for the message this sent to cash-strapped peripheral eurozone states like Greece, Spain and Portugal.[7]

In mid-2014, Oettinger led high-level talks in order to facilitate a deal under which Ukraine would pay Russia $3.1 billion amid a dispute over unpaid Russian gas bills and Russia would deliver the gas Ukraine needs for the winter.[8]

Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, 2014–present

Following the 2014 European elections, both governing parties in Germany – the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) – backed Oettinger to remain as the German EU Commissioner in the incoming European Commission.[4] At first, Oettinger was widely considered to be a leading candidate to take the position of European Commissioner for Trade, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel was said to consider the negotiations over the controversial TTIP to be one of the most important projects for growth in this legislative term.[9][10][11] Instead, Jean-Claude Juncker, President-elect of the European Commission, nominated Oettinger as Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society.[12]

In his capacity as Commissioner, Oettinger is in charge of the Commission’s department for communications networks, content and technology. His department gained considerable powers as part of Juncker’s administrative reshuffle, including over the fight against counterfeiting, piracy and copyright. He shares competency over cyber-security matters with Dimitris Avramopoulos.[13]

Data protection

In a nod to European concerns over data protection, Oettinger has expressed his support to stiffer rules currently under consideration that would provide Europeans with a greater say over how their online data is used by the likes of Google, Facebook and other internet companies.[14] He also supports the legal principle known as the "right to be forgotten", in which people have the right to ask that search engines no longer produce certain irrelevant or out-of-date information, when a search is done on the basis of the person's name internet searches.[14] Pushing for a credible global common understanding on confidential and personal information of citizens around the world, Oettinger has called for the establishment of a UN agency for data protection and data security.[15]

Economic policy

In an op-ed published in both the Financial Times and Les Échos in November 2014, Oettinger questioned whether President François Hollande has the "willingness to act" to reform the French economy[16] and said the Commission should insist France undertake "concrete and quantifiable measures coupled with precise deadlines" as a condition for a fresh deficit extension;[17] in response, members of the French Socialists called for Oettinger to resign.[18]

Controversies

Eulogy controversy

On 11 April 2007, Oettinger gave 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 during the Second World War, and who died on 1 April at the age of 93.

In his speech at the memorial service at Freiburg, Oettinger described Filbinger as "not a National-Socialist" but as "an opponent of the Nazi régime", who "could flee the constraints of the régime as little as million others". Referring to Filbinger's role as a naval judge, Oettinger pointed out that no lives were taken by Filbinger's verdicts and that he did not wield the power and freedom suggested by his critics.[19] Oettinger was subsequently accused by politicians and the media of playing down the significance of the Nazi dictatorship. German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted by publicly admonishing him, stating that she would have preferred for "the critical questions" not to be raised.[20] Oettinger was also criticized by opposition politicians and the Central Council of Jews in Germany; some critics even called for his dismissal.

Oettinger at first defended his speech, adding that he regretted any "misunderstanding" over his eulogy although he did not retract his comments about Filbinger's past.[21] Later however, on 16 April, he distanced himself from his comments.[22]

Flag controversy

Oettinger suggested that heavily in debted countries should fly their flag at half-mast over EU buildings. As a result, several MEPs wrote a letter of protest to EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso, demanding his apology or resignation. Oettinger backed down, saying he did not support the idea of flying flags at half-mast.[23]

Energy subsidies controversy

Oettinger at Hannover Messe, 2013

In October 2013, Oettinger altered an official report of the European Commission to hide the fact that conventional and nuclear energies are both more heavily subsidized than renewables. He is convinced that renewables are too expensive and a burden for the economy. To prove his point he had ordered a detailed listing in the Report on Subsidies and Costs of EU Energy 2013. However, in short notice before the report being published, he had the numbers regarding nuclear energy (€ 35bn / a) and fossil fuels (€ 66bn / a) erased,[24] as they showed that each is more heavily subsidized than renewables at € 30bn / a. In the final and official report only the numbers for renewables are shown.[25]

Remarks on Chinese people

In a speech to business leaders in Hamburg on 26 October 2016, Oettinger referred to Chinese people as "slit-eyes" and "sly dogs". He also stated that it was "consistent" that a Chinese delegation was male-only since China doesn't have female quotas. Oettinger subsequently received criticism both from European sources and a Chinese government spokesman, and several days later issued a statement apologizing for "any remark that was not as respectful as it should have been".[26]

Other activities

Personal life

Oettinger with Cai-Ullrich Fark Warthausen's former Mayor at a CDU rally in Biberach-Riss, September 2009

Oettinger married Inken Stange in 1994, by whom he has one son. On 9 December 2007, Oettinger and Inken announced that they were separated.[28] Three days later, Oettinger's wife was reported to have already been in a relationship for 9 months with Otmar Westerfellhaus, Managing Director of the Porsche car-manufacturing subsidiary in Mannheim.[29]

Since separating from his wife, Oettinger's liaison with Friederike Beyer, a PR events organiser from Hamburg, who is 25 years his junior, has enjoyed wide coverage in the German press.[30]

Honours

References

  1. ↑ PRZYBYLSKI, Piotr (1 September 2015). "Günther Oettinger - European Commission - European Commission".
  2. 1 2 3 Oettinger defends European vision on energy EurActiv, 15 January 2010.
  3. ↑ Michael Shields (5 July 2013), EU's Oettinger says Nabucco route not dead -newspaper Reuters.
  4. 1 2 3 Dario Sarmadi (25 June 2014), Germany's top EU official in Brussels wins backing for second term EurActiv.
  5. ↑ Fiona Harvey (28 March 2013), Oettinger calls for no new taxes as talks begin on 2030 climate targets EurActiv.
  6. ↑ Andrew Higgins and James Kanter (29 May 2013), E.U. States Win Leeway on Deficits New York Times.
  7. ↑ Alice Ross (21 April 2014), Germany attacked over plan to cut retirement age Financial Times.
  8. ↑ Anton Troianovski (27 September 2014), Russia, Ukraine Close In on Deal to Resolve Gas Dispute Wall Street Journal.
  9. ↑ Jeevan Vasagar and Christian Oliver (4 August 2014), Germany seeks to limit investor protection to save trade deal Financial Times.
  10. ↑ Oettinger interested in Trade Commissioner post EurActiv, 29 August 2014.
  11. ↑ Peter Spiegel, Alex Barker and Christian Oliver (2 September 2014), European Commission top jobs: The runners and riders Financial Times.
  12. ↑ James Kanter (10 September 2014), Jean-Claude Juncker Names European Commissioners New York Times.
  13. ↑ Nicholas Hirst (December 11, 2014), Who’s who in the digital world European Voice.
  14. 1 2 Mark Scott (29 September 2014), Nominee for European Digital Job Explains Positions in Hearing New York Times.
  15. ↑ Graeme Wearden and Jill Treanor (22 January 2015), UN needs agency for data protection, European commissioner tells Davos The Guardian.
  16. ↑ Peter Spiegel (20 November 2014), Germany’s EU commissioner doubts Hollande’s reforms Financial Times.
  17. ↑ Ingrid Melander (20 November 2014), French finance minister says prospect of EU fines 'not an issue' Reuters.
  18. ↑ Aline Robert (21 November 2014), French Socialists call for Oettinger to resign EurActiv.
  19. ↑ Full text of Oettinger's eulogy for Hans Filbinger (in German) (Microsoft Word document, 232 KB). Frankfurter Rundschau, 12 April 2007.
  20. ↑ "Nach umstrittener Trauerrede zu Filbinger: Merkel rügt Oettinger." Tagesschau online, 13. April 2007.
  21. ↑ "Eulogy for Former Nazi Prompts Criticism", The New York Times, 14 April 2007
  22. ↑ "Oettingers Weltsicht" Süddeutsche Zeitung vom 17 April 2007
  23. ↑ German EU boss backs down on flag at half mast bid Irish Independent, 2011-09-14.
  24. ↑ "Electricity Market.pdf". Google Docs. whistleblower.
  25. ↑ "Delivering the internal electricity market and making the most of public intervention" (PDF). Single market progress report. European Commission. Retrieved 2015-04-27.
  26. ↑ "E.U. Official, Under Pressure for Having Disparaged the Chinese, Apologizes", The New York Times, 3 November 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Günther Oettinger: Declaration of interests European Commission.
  28. ↑ Oettinger marriage fails after 13 years n-tv online, 9 December 2007 (German)
  29. ↑ Inken Oettinger loves Porsche Manager Focus magazine, 12 December 2007 (German)
  30. ↑ Lover's bliss – Oettinger with new partner Focus magazine, 14 November 2008 (German)

Media related to Günther Oettinger at Wikimedia Commons

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
2010–2014 		Succeeded by
Miguel Arias Cañete
as European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy
Succeeded by
Maroš Šefčovič
as European Commissioner for Energy Union
Preceded by
Neelie Kroes
as European Commissioner for Digital Agenda		 European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society
2014–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by
Kristalina Georgieva		 European Commissioner for the Budget and Human Resources
Designate
2014–present
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