Jan-Christoph Oetjen (born 21 February 1978 in Rotenburg an der Wümme) is a German politician of the Free Democratic Party who has been serving as a Member of the European Parliament since 2019. In 2024, he became one of the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament under the leadership of President Roberta Metsola.[1]

Jan-Christoph Oetjen
Vice-President of the European Parliament
Assumed office
16 January 2024
Serving with See List
PresidentRoberta Metsola
Preceded byNicola Beer
Member of the European Parliament
Assumed office
2019
Personal details
Born (1978-02-21) 21 February 1978 (age 46)
Rotenburg an der Wümme, West Germany
(now Germany)
Political party
Alma materUniversity of Hannover

Early life and education

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Oetjen studied economics at the University of Hannover.

Political career

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Career in state politics

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Oetjen joined the FDP in 1995. He first became a member of the State Parliament of Lower Saxony in the 2003 state elections, and was subsequently re-elected three times. From 2003 until 2011, he served as his parliamentary group's spokesperson on agriculture policy.

Member of the European Parliament, 2019–present

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In October 2018, Oetjen was elected candidate for the 2019 European elections by his party. In parliament, he is active in the following committees and delegations in various functions:

Vice-Chairman:

TRAN - Committee on Transport and Tourism

Member:

DACP - Delegation to the ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

Substitute:

DEVE - Committee on Development

LIBE - Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

DROI - Subcommittee on Human Rights

DMAS - Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries

In addition to his committee assignments, Oetjen is also a member of the European Parliament Intergroup on Anti-Racism and Diversity[2] and the European Parliament Intergroup on Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas.[3]

Recognition

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In March 2024, Oetjen was one of twenty MEPs to be given a "Rising Star" award at The Parliament Magazine's annual MEP Awards.[4]

Personal life

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Oetjen is married to a French woman. The couple has two daughters.[5]

Other activities

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  • Sparkasse Rotenburg-Osterholz, Member of the Supervisory Board

References

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  1. ^ Jan-Christoph Oetjen elected Parliament Vice-President European Parliament, press release of 16 January 2024.
  2. ^ Intergroup on Anti-Racism and Diversity European Parliament.
  3. ^ Members 2019-2024 European Parliament Intergroup on Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas.
  4. ^ "MEP Awards 2024 - The Rising Stars". The Parliament Magazine. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  5. ^ Gabriele Bode (March 28, 2019), Europa ist ihm eine Herzensangelegenheit Nordwest-Zeitung.