Biography

• Born in Hehlrath on 20 December 1955
• Apprentice bookseller (1975-1977)
• Worked in various bookshops and publishing houses (1977-1982)
• Bookshop proprietor (1982-1994)
• Municipal councillor, City of Würselen (1984-1998)
• Mayor of the City of Würselen (1987-1998)
• Member of the European Parliament (since 1994)
• Socialist Group coordinator, Subcommittee on Human Rights (1994-1996)
• Socialist Group coordinator, Committee on Civil Liberties and Home Affairs (1996-2000)
• Member, SPD Bureau and Federal Executive (since 1999)
• Chairman, SPD Group, European Parliament (2000-2004)
• First Vice-Chairman, Socialist Group (2002-2004)
• Chairman Socialist Group (2004-2009)
• SPD Representative for EU Relations (since 2009)
• Chairman S&D Group (2009-2012)
• President of the European Parliament (since January 2012)