Hans-Gert Pöttering facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hans-Gert Pöttering
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Pöttering in 2014
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| President of the European Parliament | |
| In office 16 January 2007 – 14 July 2009 |
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| Vice President | Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou |
| Preceded by | Josep Borrell |
| Succeeded by | Jerzy Buzek |
| Leader of the European People's Party-European Democrats | |
| In office 20 July 1999 – 16 January 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Wilfried Martens |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Daul |
| Member of the European Parliament for Germany |
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| In office 17 July 1979 – 30 June 2014 |
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| Chair of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation | |
| In office 1 January 2010 – 1 December 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Bernhard Vogel |
| Succeeded by | Norbert Lammert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 September 1945 Bersenbrück, Germany |
| Political party | Christian Democratic Union |
| Children | Johannes Benedict |
| Residences | Bad Iburg, Germany |
| Alma mater | University of Bonn University of Geneva Graduate Institute of International Studies Columbia University |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Website | Official website: http://www.kas.de/wf/en/71.7632/ |
Hans-Gert Pöttering is a German lawyer and politician. He was the President of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2009. He also led the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a political group, from 2010 to 2017. Mr. Pöttering was a Member of the European Parliament for a very long time. He served from 1979 until 2014, making him the longest-serving member. He also suggested creating the House of European History museum.
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Early Life and Education
Hans-Gert Pöttering was born on September 15, 1945. He never met his father, who died during the last days of World War II. After finishing school and serving in the military, he went to university.
He studied law, political science, and history. He attended the University of Bonn and the University of Geneva. He also studied at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. Later, he went to Columbia University in New York. He became a fully qualified lawyer in 1976.
Political Career
Serving in the European Parliament
Pöttering was a member of the European Parliament from 1979 to 2014. He was the only person to serve continuously since the first elections. This made him the longest-serving member when he left.
From 1984 to 1994, he led a group focused on security and defense. He also helped shape the official position of the European People's Party (EPP) for an important treaty. From 1999 to 2007, he was the leader of the EPP group in the European Parliament.
President of the European Parliament
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In 2007, Hans-Gert Pöttering became the President of the European Parliament. He was elected with many votes. During his time as President, he started the idea for the House of European History project. This museum is in Brussels and tells the story of Europe. He has been the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for this museum for many years.
After His Presidency
After his time as President, Pöttering was chosen to lead the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. He held this position from 2010 until 2018. This foundation is a political group linked to his party.
Political Views
Pöttering is known for supporting a strong and united Europe. He believes that European countries should work closely together. He has also spoken out on important international issues. For example, he joined other leaders in criticizing a Middle East peace plan in 2020.
Awards and Recognition
Hans-Gert Pöttering has received many awards and honors. These recognize his long career and contributions to Europe.
National Honors
- Germany: Great Cross with Star and Sash of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2010)
Foreign Honors
- Austria: Grand Golden Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (2002)
- Holy See: Grand Cross of the Papal Order of St Gregory the Great (2007)
- Croatia: Great Cross of Merit of the Grand Order of Queen Jelena with Star and Shoulder Ribbon (2007)
- Italy: 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2008)
- Ukraine: 2nd Class of the Order of Prince Jaroslaw the Wise (2008)
- Latvia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Three Stars (2009)
- Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (Portugal) (2009)
- France: Commander of the Legion of Honour (2011)
- Spain: Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit of the Kingdom of Spain (2011)
- Poland: Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (2013)
- Lithuania: Commander of the Order for Merits to Lithuania (2013)
- Hungary: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic (2013)
- Estonia: 1st Class of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (2013)
- Romania: Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania (2014)
- Tunisia: Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit of the Republic of Tunisia (2016)
Other Awards
- Robert Schuman Medal of EPP-ED (1995)
- Mérite Européen Medal in Gold (2002)
- 'MEP of the Year 2004' by 'European Voice' (2004)
- Walter Hallstein Prize (2007)
- European Excellence Award (2008)
- Ben Gurion Medal (2010)
- Polish-German Prize (2011)
Honorary Degrees
He has received honorary doctorates from many universities around the world. These include universities in Romania, Poland, Chile, Turkey, the Philippines, Argentina, South Korea, and Lithuania. He is also an honorary citizen of his hometown, Bersenbrück, Germany, and Opole, Poland.
Personal Life
Hans-Gert Pöttering lives in Bad Iburg, Germany. He is Roman Catholic and has two sons.
Books Written
Pöttering has written several books, often about European politics and history. Some of his works include:
- Adenauers Sicherheitspolitik 1955–1963 (1975)
- Europas Vereinigte Staaten (2000)
- Weltpartner Europäische Union (2001)
- Kontinent Europa. Kern, Übergänge, Grenzen (2002)
- Von der Vision zur Wirklichkeit. Auf dem Weg zur Einigung Europas (2004)
- United for the Better: My European Way (2016)
See also
In Spanish: Hans-Gert Pöttering para niños
