Гүнтер Оттингер: Неміс саяхатшысы және Еуропалық комиссардың мансабы

German lawyer and politician

Günther Hermann Oettinger (born 15 October 1953) is a German lawyer and politician of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) who served as European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources from 2017 to 2019, as European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society from 2014 to 2016 and as European Commissioner for Energy from 2010 to 2014. He is affiliated with the liberal conservative European People's Party (EPP). He served as Minister President of Baden Württemberg between 2005 and 2010 and as chairman of the CDU Baden Württemberg from 2005 until 2010. Since 2021, Oettinger has served as president of the German private university EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht in Wiesbaden. He studied law and Economics at the University of Tübingen. He worked in an accounting and tax consulting business, before being licensed in 1984 to practice law and worked in this sector until 1988. At his confirmation hearing before the European Parliament in 2010, Oettinger pledged to enforce the principle of solidarity on energy policy as enshrined in the EU's Lisbon Treaty so that no member state could be left disadvantaged. He struck a chord with parliamentarians by basing his security of supply strategy equally on diversifying gas transportation routes from third countries and promoting indigenous renewable energy. The second phase began with the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011 and the resulting energy transition in Germany. Oettinger advised that there should be no new taxes on energy within the EU, and current taxes should not be raised, if prices are to be kept competitive with rivals fuelled by cheaper shale gas in the US. Throughout his time in office, Oettinger regularly made headlines for his comments on constituent EU member countries' economic situations. In remarks published by German media in May 2013, he expressed doubts about France's economic recovery and said "too many in Europe still believe that everything will be fine." France, he said, "is completely unprepared to do what’s necessary," while Italy, Bulgaria and Romania "are essentially ungovernable." Oettinger has also repeatedly been in conflict with the German government. In mid 2014, Oettinger led high level talks in order to facilitate a deal under which Ukraine would pay Russia $3.1 billion amid a dispute over unpaid Russian gas bills and Russia would deliver the gas Ukraine needs for the winter.

On 1 January 2017 Oettinger was reassigned to the Budget and Human Resources portfolio, following the resignation of Kristalina Georgieva with effect from 31 December 2016 to take up a new position as chief executive officer of the World Bank.

In 2019, Oettinger and his partner Friederike Beyer jointly set up Oettinger Consulting, a Hamburg based advisory firm. In 2020, he became a consultant to Viktor Orban. Since 2021, Oettinger has been serving as the president of EBS University of Business and Law.

On 11 April 2007, Oettinger gave a controversial eulogy on one of his predecessors as Minister President of Baden Württemberg, Hans Filbinger who had been forced to resign in 1978 after allegations surfaced about his role as a navy lawyer and judge during World War II. In his speech at the memorial service at Freiburg, Oettinger described Filbinger as "not a National Socialist" but as "an opponent of the Nazi régime", who "could escape the constraints of the régime as little as millions of others". Referring to Filbinger's role as a naval judge, Oettinger pointed out that no lives were taken by Filbinger's verdicts and that he did not wield the power and freedom suggested by his critics. Oettinger was subsequently accused by politicians and the media of playing down the significance of the Nazi dictatorship. German Chancellor Angela Merkel publicly admonished him, stating that she would have preferred for "the critical questions" not to be raised. Oettinger was also criticized by opposition politicians and the Central Council of Jews in Germany; some critics even called for his dismissal. Oettinger at first defended his speech, adding that he regretted any "misunderstanding" over his eulogy although he did not retract his comments about Filbinger's past. Five days later however, he distanced himself from his comments.

Oettinger suggested that heavily indebted countries should fly their flag at half mast over EU buildings. As a result, several MEPs wrote a letter of protest to EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso, demanding his apology or resignation. Oettinger backed down, saying he did not support the idea of flying flags at half mast.

In a speech to business leaders in Hamburg on 26 October 2016, Oettinger referred to Chinese people as "slit eyes" and "sly dogs". He also stated that it was "consistent" that a Chinese delegation was male only since China doesn't have female quotas. Oettinger subsequently received criticism both from European sources and a Chinese government spokesman, and several days later issued a statement apologizing for "any remark that was not as respectful as it should have been".

On 29 May 2018, commenting in an interview with Deutsche Welle on developments in Italy after the 2018 General Election, Oettinger said "Even now, developments on bond markets, the market value of banks, and Italy's economy in general have darkened noticeably and negatively. That has to do with the possible government formation. I can only hope that this will play a role in the election campaign and send a signal not to hand populists on the right and left any responsibility in government." European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker immediately distanced themselves from these remarks and Oettinger apologised, explaining "I fully respect the will of voters being left, right or centre and in every country. By referring to actual market developments in Italy, I did not mean to be disrespectful."