Dr Guido Westerwelle
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Since 28 October 2009 Guido Westerwelle has been Federal Foreign Minister and Deputy Chancellor.
Background and professional career
Born on 27 December 1961 in Bad Honnef near Bonn.
Abitur (higher education entrance qualification) in 1980, studied law in Bonn. First and second state law examinations and doctoral degree in law.
Since 1991 in legal practice in Bonn.
Honorary doctorate from Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.
Joined the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in 1980. Chair of the Young Liberals 1983 to 1988. FDP chair for Bonn district 1993 to 2000. FDP General Secretary 1994 to 2001. Member of the German Bundestag since February 1996. FDP national chair since May 2001.
Member of the German Bundestag since 8 February 1996, from May 2006 until October 2009 chair of the FDP parliamentary group.