Born in 1944. Vechta (Lower Saxony). Lawyer. 1975, two doctorates. 1990, PhD. 1968, joined JU, 1975, CDU. 1976, small business association member. 1975-1980, lawyer and municipal council member, Bad Waldsee (B.W). 1976-1979, Chairman, Association of Youth Organisations, B.W. 1976-1980, Chairman, Catholic independent schools foundation. 1980-1991, Professor in law and administrative theory; since 1990, Principal of Catholic College, North Germany. 1984-1991, Chairman, Vechta district branch, Europa Union. 1991, Secretary of State, Ministry for Economic Affairs and Technology of Saxony-Anhalt. 1994, Self-employed lawyer. 1995-1999, Regional Chairman, CDU Economic Council of Saxony-Anhalt; federal executive member. Since 1995, Chairman, specialist committee Europe, Oldenburg regional association. Vice-President, European Parliamentary Association.Member of intergroups'hunting','federalist'.SME-circle. Member of several intergroups, i.e. 'hunting', 'forestry'. MEP since 1999.