Born on 27 December 1961 in Bad Honnef
1980
Abitur (German equivalent to A-levels), studied law in Bonn
Passed first and second state examinations in law
Conferred a doctorate in law
1980
Joined the FDP
1983 - 1988
Federal Chairman of the Young Liberals
Since 1991
Lawyer in Bonn
1993 - 2000
District Chairman of the FDP in Bonn
1994 - 2001
General Secretary of the FDP
Since May 2001
Federal Chairman of the FDP
Since May 2006
Chairman of the FDP parliamentary group in the German Bundestag
Chairman of the Programme Commission, which drew up the Wiesbaden Principles – the new programme of the FDP
Member of the board of Atlantik-Brücke e.V. a non-party-political association which aims to strengthen relations with the USA
Member of the board of governors of the German AIDS Foundation (Deutsche Aids-Stiftung)
Honorary doctorate from Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
Awarded the European Skilled Crafts Award 2006
Author of numerous legal and political publications, including the book "Neuland”
Since October 2009
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Federal Chancellor
