Gunther Hermann Oettinger

Description:

Energy Commissioner

European Commission

Video presentation at: Singapore Energy Summit

Since taking on the role of European Commissioner in charge of energy, Mr Oettinger has been working on a new energy infrastructure policy for Europe that will make its energy grids fit for 2020 and be future-proofed. His to-do list includes offshore grids to connect the huge offshore wind energy potential of the Northern Seas to the onshore networks transporting this energy to consumption centres in Central Europe and storage hubs, as well as diversification of Europe's gas supplies, sources, counterparts and routes through the construction of the Southern Corridor.

Mr Gunther Hermann Oettinger embarked on his political career as a member of the Junge Union, the youth organisation of the CDU. He was Chairman of the organisation in Baden-Württemberg from 1983 to 1989. From 2001 to 2005, he was Chairman of the CDU party in Nordwürttemberg, and Chairman of the Federal committee for media politics of the CDU.

Mr 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, Mr Erwin Teufel, announced that he was to step down as Minister President and Chairman of the Baden-Württemberg CDU, effective 19 April 2005. Mr Oettinger was voted his successor after internal party pre-elections, and on 29 April 2005, became Chairman of the CDU in Baden-Württemberg, eight days after succeeding Mr Teufel as Minister President.

In 2006, the CDU held onto its majority in the Baden-Württemberg state elections, with Mr Oettinger reelected as Minister President. He heads a coalition regional government made up of the CDU and FDP.

On 24 October 2009, Chancellor Angela Merkel's new centre-right government chose him to be a Commissioner in the European Commission taking office on 10 February 2010.

Born on 15 October 1953 in Stuttgart, he has one son.

Speakers