Klaus Welle
Encyclopedia
Since March 15, 2009, Klaus Welle is the Secretary General of the European Parliament
. He has previously been Head of the Office (cabinet) of the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, in Brussels.
Born in Beelen, Germany
in July 1964, Welle studied economics at the Witten/Herdecke University
, before becoming Head of Foreign and European Affairs for the CDU party in Bonn (1991–94). He made his political reputation by masterminding an unexpectedly strong CDU performance in the June 1994 European elections. Welle then served successively as Secretary General of the centre-right European People's Party
(EPP), Secretary General of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, and Director General for Internal Policies in the general secretariat of the European Parliament.
During his time with the EPP Europarty and EPP-ED Group in the EP, Welle is credited with the strategy of opening the formerly Christian Democrat EPP alliance to a broader range of conservative and liberal political forces, to consolidating the European centre-right under the EPP
. This approach culminated in the EPP-ED Group becoming the largest political group in the European Parliament in June 1999, a position it has enjoyed ever since, and the EPP
becoming the overall dominant political force in all the main EU institutions. In 1991-95, Welle also cut his political teeth as Chairperson of the Democrat Youth Community of Europe
.
On 23 May 2010, the British newspaper The Sunday Times
, citing an anonymous source, claimed that Klaus Welle had an initiative to provide an Apple iPad
to all 736 MEPs. The Sunday Times article about the alleged initiative implied that earmark
ing money on iPads is not the best of examples of austerity, when Europe is suffering from severe budget deficits. However, a parliament spokesperson interviewed for the article was reportedly not aware of any such initiative.
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
. He has previously been Head of the Office (cabinet) of the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, in Brussels.
Born in Beelen, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in July 1964, Welle studied economics at the Witten/Herdecke University
Witten/Herdecke University
Witten/Herdecke University is a private university in Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Unlike most other German universities, it is a private enterprise with about 1100 students and 400 employees...
, before becoming Head of Foreign and European Affairs for the CDU party in Bonn (1991–94). He made his political reputation by masterminding an unexpectedly strong CDU performance in the June 1994 European elections. Welle then served successively as Secretary General of the centre-right European People's Party
European People's Party
The European People's Party is a pro-European centre-right European political party. The EPP was founded in 1976 by Christian democratic parties, but later it increased its membership to include conservative parties and parties of other centre-right perspectives.The EPP is the most influential of...
(EPP), Secretary General of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, and Director General for Internal Policies in the general secretariat of the European Parliament.
During his time with the EPP Europarty and EPP-ED Group in the EP, Welle is credited with the strategy of opening the formerly Christian Democrat EPP alliance to a broader range of conservative and liberal political forces, to consolidating the European centre-right under the EPP
European People's Party
The European People's Party is a pro-European centre-right European political party. The EPP was founded in 1976 by Christian democratic parties, but later it increased its membership to include conservative parties and parties of other centre-right perspectives.The EPP is the most influential of...
. This approach culminated in the EPP-ED Group becoming the largest political group in the European Parliament in June 1999, a position it has enjoyed ever since, and the EPP
European People's Party
The European People's Party is a pro-European centre-right European political party. The EPP was founded in 1976 by Christian democratic parties, but later it increased its membership to include conservative parties and parties of other centre-right perspectives.The EPP is the most influential of...
becoming the overall dominant political force in all the main EU institutions. In 1991-95, Welle also cut his political teeth as Chairperson of the Democrat Youth Community of Europe
Democrat Youth Community of Europe
The Democrat Youth Community of Europe is an umbrella organisation of the youth wings of conservative and Christian democratic parties of Europe....
.
On 23 May 2010, the British newspaper The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
, citing an anonymous source, claimed that Klaus Welle had an initiative to provide an Apple iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
to all 736 MEPs. The Sunday Times article about the alleged initiative implied that earmark
Earmark
Earmark may refer to:*Earmark , cuts or marks in the ears of animals made to show ownership*Earmark , a legislative provision that directs funds to be spent on specific projects...
ing money on iPads is not the best of examples of austerity, when Europe is suffering from severe budget deficits. However, a parliament spokesperson interviewed for the article was reportedly not aware of any such initiative.