Born in 1957. Stuttgart (Baden-Wuerttemberg). Studied law in Tübingen and Heidelberg. Lawyer in Stuttgart. 1983-1991, CDU federal party committee. 1985-1988, Area Vice-Chairman of Junge Union (JU), North-Wuerttemberg. 1990-1992, Regional Vice-Chairman of JU, Baden-Wuerttemberg. Since 1991, Executive member of CDU Area Association, North-Wuerttemberg. Since 1993, Chairman of the CDU District Association, Ludwigsburg. 1984-1998, Town councillor in Gerlingen. 1994-1998, District councillor for Ludwigsburg. Since 1994, Member of the regional assembly of the municipal association of Stuttgart region. Since 2001, Chairman of the All-Party Europa Union, Baden-Wuerttemberg. Since 2006, member of ZDF Television Council representing the Europa-Union . 2008-2011 vice-president of European Movement international. Since 2009 vice-president of the European Parliament. Since 2011 president of the cross-party Europa-Union. MEP since 1997.