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Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer

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Article Genealogy
Parent: Christian Democratic Union of Germany Hop 4
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Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer
NameAnnegret Kramp-Karrenbauer
CaptionKramp-Karrenbauer in 2018
OfficeMinister of Defence
ChancellorAngela Merkel
Term start17 July 2019
Term end8 December 2021
PredecessorUrsula von der Leyen
SuccessorChristine Lambrecht
Office1Leader of the Christian Democratic Union
Deputy1Volker Bouffier, Julia Klöckner, Armin Laschet, Thomas Strobl
Term start17 December 2018
Term end122 January 2021
Predecessor1Angela Merkel
Successor1Armin Laschet
Office2Minister-President of Saarland
Deputy2Peter Jacoby, Anke Rehlinger
Term start210 August 2011
Term end228 February 2018
Predecessor2Peter Müller
Successor2Tobias Hans
Office3General Secretary of the Christian Democratic Union
Leader3Angela Merkel
Term start326 February 2018
Term end37 December 2018
Predecessor3Peter Tauber
Successor3Paul Ziemiak
Birth nameAnnegret Kramp
Birth date9 August 1962
Birth placeVölklingen, Saarland, West Germany
PartyChristian Democratic Union
SpouseHelmut Karrenbauer
Alma materSaarland University, University of Trier

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is a German politician who served as the Federal Minister of Defence from 2019 to 2021. A prominent member of the Christian Democratic Union, she succeeded Angela Merkel as party leader in 2018 and previously served as the Minister-President of Saarland. Her tenure in federal politics was marked by significant challenges within her party and the Bundeswehr.

Early life and education

Born in Völklingen, she grew up in the town of Püttlingen within the industrial Saarland region. After completing her Abitur at the Marienschule Saarbrücken, she studied political science and law at the Saarland University and the University of Trier. Her academic work focused on European integration and federalism in Germany.

Political career

Her political engagement began in the youth wing of the CDU, the Young Union. She was first elected to the Landtag of Saarland in 1999, where she held various positions, including chair of the CDU parliamentary group. She served as the Saarland Minister for the Interior and Sport under Minister-President Peter Müller, gaining a reputation for administrative competence.

Leadership of the Christian Democratic Union

Following her tenure as Minister-President of Saarland, she was appointed General Secretary of the CDU/CSU in 2018. At the CDU party conference in Hamburg that December, she was elected leader, defeating rivals like Friedrich Merz and Jens Spahn. Her leadership aimed to bridge the party's centrist and conservative wings but faced internal strife, particularly after a poor performance in the 2019 European elections.

Minister of Defence

In July 2019, Angela Merkel appointed her to succeed Ursula von der Leyen as Federal Minister of Defence. Her tenure oversaw the Bundeswehr during major international missions, including Operation Inherent Resolve and the NATO mission in Afghanistan. She initiated reforms to address systemic issues within the military, such as equipment shortages highlighted by the Puma infantry fighting vehicle controversy, and navigated complex procurement projects like the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Later political activities and retirement

After the 2021 CDU leadership election, she stepped down as party leader in favor of Armin Laschet. Following the federal election and the formation of the Scholz cabinet, she left the Bundestag and retired from active politics in December 2021. She subsequently took on roles in academia and corporate advisory boards, including a position with the Bertelsmann foundation.

Personal life

She is married to Helmut Karrenbauer, a mining engineer, and they have three children. Known for her deep Roman Catholic faith, she maintains a private residence in Püttlingen. Her hobbies include reading historical biographies and hiking in the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park.

Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:Christian Democratic Union of Germany politicians Category:Defence ministers of Germany Category:Leaders of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany Category:Members of the Landtag of Saarland Category:People from Völklingen Category:Saarland politicians