Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger
Encyclopedia
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger zaˈbiːnə ˈlɔʏthɔʏsɐ ˈʃnaʀənˌbɛɐ̯ɡɐ (born July 26, 1951) is a German politician
of the pro-business Free Democratic Party
. Within the FDP, she is a leading figure of the small social-liberal wing. She served as Federal Minister of Justice of Germany from 1992 to 1996 in the cabinet of Helmut Kohl
, and holds the office again in the Second Cabinet Merkel from 2009.
, North Rhine-Westphalia
. After graduating from gymnasium in Minden in 1970, Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger started studying law in Göttingen and Bielefeld. In 1975 she passed the first state exam in Hamm
, in 1978 the second state exam in Düsseldorf
.
From 1979 to 1990 she worked at the German Patent Office in Munich
. When she left the organization she was a managing director.
In addition to her mandate as a member of the German parliament (Bundestag
), she has been working as a lawyer in Munich since 1997.
Since December 12, 1990 Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger is a member of the German Bundestag. On May 18, 1992 she was sworn in as Federal Minister of Justice of Germany. In 1995 there was a broad public discussion in Germany about the invulnerability of the private domain by means of acoustic observation (Großer Lauschangriff, literally "big listening attack"). In this argument she strongly objected to expanding the state's right to interfere in citizens' private domain. After the members of the FDP decided in a poll to support the conservative lead of the CDU
in this matter, she resigned from her office on January 1, 1996.
On October 28, 2009 she was appointed Federal minister of Justice. It is her third term.
of Minden
as member of the CDU. Her uncle, Wolfgang Stammberger
, was one of her predecessors as minister of justice (from 1961 to 1962).
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Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
of the pro-business Free Democratic Party
Free Democratic Party (Germany)
The Free Democratic Party , abbreviated to FDP, is a centre-right classical liberal political party in Germany. It is led by Philipp Rösler and currently serves as the junior coalition partner to the Union in the German federal government...
. Within the FDP, she is a leading figure of the small social-liberal wing. She served as Federal Minister of Justice of Germany from 1992 to 1996 in the cabinet of Helmut Kohl
Helmut Kohl
Helmut Josef Michael Kohl is a German conservative politician and statesman. He was Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998 and the chairman of the Christian Democratic Union from 1973 to 1998...
, and holds the office again in the Second Cabinet Merkel from 2009.
Early life and work
She was born in MindenMinden
Minden is a town of about 83,000 inhabitants in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The town extends along both sides of the river Weser. It is the capital of the Kreis of Minden-Lübbecke, which is part of the region of Detmold. Minden is the historic political centre of the...
, North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
. After graduating from gymnasium in Minden in 1970, Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger started studying law in Göttingen and Bielefeld. In 1975 she passed the first state exam in Hamm
Hamm
Hamm is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia , Germany. It is located in the northeastern part of the Ruhr area. As of December 2003 its population was 180,849. The city is situated between the A1 motorway and A2 motorway...
, in 1978 the second state exam in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
.
From 1979 to 1990 she worked at the German Patent Office in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. When she left the organization she was a managing director.
In addition to her mandate as a member of the German parliament (Bundestag
Bundestag
The Bundestag is a federal legislative body in Germany. In practice Germany is governed by a bicameral legislature, of which the Bundestag serves as the lower house and the Bundesrat the upper house. The Bundestag is established by the German Basic Law of 1949, as the successor to the earlier...
), she has been working as a lawyer in Munich since 1997.
Political career
In 1978 Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger became a member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP). Since 1991 is a member of federal board of the FDP.Since December 12, 1990 Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger is a member of the German Bundestag. On May 18, 1992 she was sworn in as Federal Minister of Justice of Germany. In 1995 there was a broad public discussion in Germany about the invulnerability of the private domain by means of acoustic observation (Großer Lauschangriff, literally "big listening attack"). In this argument she strongly objected to expanding the state's right to interfere in citizens' private domain. After the members of the FDP decided in a poll to support the conservative lead of the CDU
Christian Democratic Union (Germany)
The Christian Democratic Union of Germany is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It is regarded as on the centre-right of the German political spectrum...
in this matter, she resigned from her office on January 1, 1996.
On October 28, 2009 she was appointed Federal minister of Justice. It is her third term.
Personal life
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger is widowed, after her husband died in 2006. Her father, Dr. Horst Leutheusser, was also a lawyer, and deputy mayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Minden
Minden
Minden is a town of about 83,000 inhabitants in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The town extends along both sides of the river Weser. It is the capital of the Kreis of Minden-Lübbecke, which is part of the region of Detmold. Minden is the historic political centre of the...
as member of the CDU. Her uncle, Wolfgang Stammberger
Wolfgang Stammberger
Wolfgang Stammberger was a German jurist and politician. He served as German Minister of Justice from 1961 to 1962....
, was one of her predecessors as minister of justice (from 1961 to 1962).
Miscellaneous
To her devotees from the FDP's social-liberal wing Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger is also known as "Schnarri" and SLS.External links
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