Born in 1949. Koblenz (Rhineland-Palatinate). Degree in economics, doctorate in political science. Former Project Manager at the Institute for Research into Small Businesses, former policy and press adviser to the Minister for Economic Affairs and Transport in Mainz. Member of the Rhineland-Palatinate regional Parliament. Vice-Chairman of the CDU Parliamentary Group. Former Minister for Agriculture, Viticulture and Forestry in the Rhineland-Palatinate. Former Chairman of the Rhineland-Palatinate CDU. Parliamentary business manager (1999-2006) and since November 2006 Head of the CDU/CSU Group in the EP. www.euinfo.de MEP since 1994.