Daniel Günther

Daniel Günther (born 24 July 1973) is a German politician of Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). Since 28 June 2017 he serves as the Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein.[1] From 1 November 2018 to 31 October 2019 he served as President of the Bundesrat,[2] being succeeded by Dietmar Woidke.[3]

Daniel Günther
Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein
Assumed office
28 June 2017
DeputyRobert Habeck
Monika Heinold
Hainer Garg
Preceded byTorsten Albig
Leader of the Christian Democratic Union in Schleswig-Holstein
Assumed office
19 November 2016
DeputyAstrid Damerow
Tobias Koch
Preceded byIngbert Liebing
President of the Bundesrat
In office
1 November 2018  31 October 2019
DeputyMichael Müller
Preceded byMichael Müller
Succeeded byDietmar Woidke
Leader of the Opposition in
Schleswig-Holstein
In office
5 October 2014  28 June 2017
Minister PresidentTorsten Albig
Preceded byJohannes Callsen
Succeeded byRalf Stegner
Leader of the Christian Democratic Union in the Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein
In office
5 October 2014  28 June 2017
Preceded byJohannes Callsen
Succeeded byTobias Koch
Member of the
Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein
for Eckernförde
Assumed office
27 September 2009
Preceded byJost de Jager
Personal details
Born (1973-07-24) 24 July 1973
Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany
Nationality Germany
Political partyChristian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU)

Early life and education

Günther studied politics and psychology at University of Kiel.

Career

Career in state politics

Günther has been a member of Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein.[4] since the 2009 state elections. In parliament, he was a member of the Committee on Education (2009–2014) and the Finance Committee (2009–2012). From 2014 until 2017, he served as chairman of the CDU parliamentary group. In this capacity, he was also a member of the Council of Elders.

When Ingbert Liebing resigned in late 2016 from his role as leading candidate for the 2017 state elections after consistently bad polling results,[5] Günther took over.

Since 28 June 2017 Günther has been serving as the 14th Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein. As one of the state's representatives at the Bundesrat, he also serves on the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Role in national politics

Günther was a CDU delegate to the Federal Convention for the purpose of electing the President of Germany in 2017. In the – failed – negotiations to form a coalition government with the Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU), the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Green Party following the 2017 national elections, he was part of the 19-member delegation of the CDU. In the ensuing negotiations with the Social Democrats, he led the working group on transport and infrastructure, this time alongside Thomas Strobl and Sören Bartol.

Ahead of the Christian Democrats’ leadership election in 2018, Günther publicly endorsed Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to succeed Merkel as the party's chair.[6] For the 2021 leadership election, he later endorsed Armin Laschet.[7]

Other activities

  • Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Ex-Officio chairman of the board of Trustees (since 2017)[8]
  • State Agency for Civic Education, Member of the Board of Trustees (since 2012)
  • Stadtwerke Eckernförde, Member of the Supervisory Board (1998–2005)

Personal life

Günther is married to a pediatrician. The couple has two daughters.[9]

References

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