Günther Oettinger (1953), a German lawyer and politician, was member of the European Commission for almost ten years, after a career of more than thirty years in German politics. For a long period, he combined these activities with a practice in law, auditing and taxation.

In the Commission Juncker (2014-2019), he held the portfolios of Budget & Human Resources from 2017 until 2019, and Digital Economy and Society in the period 2014-2016, while also being a Vice-President of the European Commission in 2014. In the second European Commission presided by José Manuel Barroso (2010 – 2014), Mr Oettinger was Commissioner for Energy.

From 2005-2010, Mr Oettinger was Prime Minister of the State of Baden-Württemberg in Germany, after having been active for the CDU in this State for almost thirty years, including, inter alia, Chairman from 2005 until 2009, member of the regional Parliament (“Landtag”) since 1984, and leader of the CDU Landtag group from 1991.

Among his other activities for the CDU were member of the Presidium and the Federal Executive Committee from 2005 until 2020, Co-Chairman of the Commission on the Modernisation of Federal-Länder Financial Relations (Federalism Reform II) in 2007 – 2009, Chairman of the Media Policy Expert Group (2006 – 2010), and Chairman of the Federal Committee on Media Policy (1999 – 2006).

In 1982, he started his legal career, first as assessor, then as lawyer and managing director of an auditing and tax consultancy, until 2005.

Mr Oettinger studied law and economics, and graduated in law, in Tübingen.