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Hans-Peter FriedrichGerman Minister of the Interior
Date of Birth: 10.03.1957
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- Biography of Hans-Peter Friedrich
- Early Political Career
- Political Career
- Ministerial Career
- Controversies
- Personal Life
Biography of Hans-Peter Friedrich
Early Life and EducationHans-Peter Friedrich was born on March 10, 1957, in the Bavarian city of Naila. He graduated from a gymnasium in Naila in 1978 and passed the Abitur - an exam that allows entrance to university without further tests. Friedrich then served in the Bundeswehr from 1978 to 1979 before studying law at Augsburg University and the University of Munich. In 1984 and 1986, he passed two state legal exams and obtained a Doctor of Law degree from Augsburg University in 1988. Additionally, Friedrich studied economics at Augsburg University from 1984 to 1986 and continued his studies in economics at FernUniversitaet in Hagen from 1986 to 1988.
Early Political Career
Friedrich's interest in politics began during his time in gymnasium. In 1973, he joined the youth organization of the Christian Social Union (CSU) and became the deputy chairman of the local branch. In the same year, he founded the student union of the CSU in Upper Franconia and became its first chairman. Friedrich also became a member of the CSU in 1974.
Political Career
In 1991, Friedrich worked as an assistant for the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) and CSU parliamentary group. He then became the personal assistant to Michael Glos, the head of the CSU parliamentary group, in 1993. Friedrich was first elected to the Bundestag in 1998 and was subsequently re-elected. In 1999, he became the deputy chairman of the CSU in Upper Franconia. From 2002 to 2005, Friedrich served as a legal advisor to the CDU-CSU parliamentary group. He then became the deputy chairman of the CDU-CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, focusing on transport, construction, urban development, tourism, and local legislation from 2005 to 2009.
Ministerial Career
Despite the CSU's poor performance in the 2009 elections, Friedrich won convincingly with 46.8% of the votes. He was rumored to be a candidate for the Minister of Transport position but ultimately became the chairman of the CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag. In February 2011, Friedrich became the Minister of the Interior following a cabinet reshuffle caused by the plagiarism scandal involving the former Minister of Defense, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
Controversies
Shortly after his appointment, Friedrich attracted criticism for his statement that the "Christian-Judeo-Western culture" is leading in Germany while Islamic culture is not an integral part of the German state. Additionally, he refused to continue the reform initiated by his predecessor, which aimed to merge the Federal Police and the Federal Criminal Police Office. These controversies sparked criticism from parliamentary opposition, Muslim circles, and even some members of his own party.
Personal Life
Friedrich is an honorary chairman of the foundation, board of trustees, and "Friends of the Hof Symphony Orchestra." He is an honorary member of the board of the East Bavarian Technology Transfer Institute, a non-profit organization that deals with industry and science cooperation. Friedrich is married and has three children. He enjoys running and cycling and identifies as a Lutheran.
