Sep 17, 2009

The "Rockin Baron"

Here on the International Herald Tribune an interesting profile of Baron Karl-Theodor von und zu Guttenberg or simply Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (if you don't like titles), the current German Minister for Economics.

According to Wikipedia he is currently the most popular politician in Germany, and so an influential figure to determine the faith of Germany's federal cabinet on the election of September 27.

He is the "Rockin Baron" because of his passion for Rock Music (AC/DC in particular, pas mal!). He switched from being a Foreign Policy expert within the CSU, to the limelight as Economic Minister, gaining rapid popularity. Despite being an aristocrat, "he and his wife, Stephanie, a direct descendant of Otto von Bismarck, have embraced the 21st century, appearing in German gossip columns and transforming themselves from aristocrats to celebrities".

As the article suggests, he is enlivening a low-profile political campaign in Germany, More, he seem to offer a simple, but compelling recipe for Germany's economic future: simplify the tax system, reduce the regulatory burden, make it a freer economy. Simple, but solid as rock!

1 comment:

Cam said...

Cool (and he has great musical taste as well!!)!! He now joins Australia's Environment Minister and former lead singer of Midnight Oil, Peter Garrett, in the ranks of the rockin' politicians.