Guido Brunner | |
|---|---|
 Brunner in 1977 | |
| Member of the German Bundestag | |
| In office 5 October 1980 – 26 January 1981 | |
| European Commissioner for Energy,Research and Science | |
| In office 1977–1981 | |
| President | Roy Jenkins |
| Preceded by | Henri François Simonet |
| Succeeded by | Étienne Davignon (as Commissioner for Energy)
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1930-05-27)27 May 1930 |
| Died | 2 December 1997(1997-12-02) (aged 67) |
| Party | Free Democratic Party |
Guido Brunner (27 May 1930 – 2 December 1997) was a German diplomat and politician of the liberalFree Democratic Party. He served asEuropean Commissioner for Energy, Research and Science in theJenkins Commission from 1977 to 1981. He was a Member of theBundestag from 1980 to 1981, Senator for the Economy in the government ofWest Berlin in 1981 and Ambassador to Spain from 1981 to 1992.Tam Dalyell described him as "one of the unsung architects of the Europe we have today."[1]
Brunner was born and grew up inMadrid, where his father was a businessman. He moved toWest Germany after theSecond World War, where he studied law. He subsequently earned a PhD in law in Germany and alicentiate's degree in law in Spain.
In 1955 he joined the West German diplomatic service and was posted toNew York City as a member of the German delegation to theUnited Nations from 1960 to 1968. He was director of the press office of theForeign Office from 1970 to 1972 and director of planning from 1972 to 1974. He headed the West German delegation to the 1973Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe.
He served asEuropean Commissioner for Energy, Research and Science in theJenkins Commission from 1977 to 1981.Tam Dalyell described him as "one of the unsung architects of the Europe we have today," and in particular noted his goodwill towards the United Kingdom.[1]
Brunner was a member of theBundestag from 1980 to 1981. In 1981 he served as Senator for the Economy and Deputy Mayor in the government ofWest Berlin.
Brunner left German politics to become Ambassador to his country of birth, Spain, in 1981, and served until his retirement in 1992.
Brunner was married to Christa née Speidel, the daughter of GeneralHans Speidel, the Supreme Commander of theNATO ground forces in Central Europe from 1957 to 1963.[2]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | German European Commissioner 1977–1981 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Ralf Dahrendorf (Research, Science and Education) andHenri Simonet (Taxation and Energy) | European Commissioner for Energy, Research and Science 1977–1981 | Succeeded by Filippo Maria Pandolfi (Research and Development) andÉtienne Davignon (Industrial Affairs and Energy) |
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