Curriculum vitae

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2009
© photothek

Guido Westerwelle

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2009

© photothek

Guido Westerwelle has been Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs since 28 October 2009.

Biography

Born in Bad Honnef near Bonn on 27 December 1961.

Gained the higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) in 1980, and subsequently studied law in Bonn. Passed first and second state law examinations and gained a doctoral degree in law. Has practised law in Bonn.

Awarded an honorary doctorate by Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea.

Joined the FDP in 1980. Chairman of the Young Liberals from 1983 to 1988. FDP chair for Bonn district from 1993 to 2000. FDP General Secretary from 1994 to 2001. FDP national chair from May 2001 to May 2011.

Member of the German Bundestag since 8 February 1996. Chair of the FDP parliamentary group from May 2006 to October 2009.

Deputy Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 28 October 2009 to 18 May 2011.