Wolfgang Bosbach (born 11 May 1952) is a German lawyer and former politician of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He served as a member of the Bundestag, the federal parliament of Germany, from 1994 until his resignation in 2017. During his parliamentary tenure, Bosbach held several notable positions, including President of the Bundestag’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Consumer Protection (2005–2009) and Deputy Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group.
Early life and education
Bosbach was born in Rheinberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany. He completed his secondary education at the Gymnasium in Düsseldorf and subsequently studied law at the University of Bonn, earning his first state examination in 1977. After completing his legal clerkship, he passed the second state examination in 1979, qualifying him to practice as a lawyer.
Political career
- Entry into politics: Bosbach joined the CDU in 1970 and became active in local politics, serving on the city council of his hometown of Rheinberg from 1975 to 1990.
- Bundestag membership: First elected to the Bundestag in the 1994 federal election representing the constituency of Düsseldorf I, Bosbach was re‑elected in successive elections (1998, 2002, 2005, 2009, and 2013).
- Committee work: He chaired the Committee on Legal Affairs and Consumer Protection from 2005 to 2009, influencing legislation on civil law, criminal law, and consumer rights. Bosbach was also a member of the Committee on the Verification of Credentials, Immunities and Rules of Procedure.
- Party leadership: Within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, he served as deputy chair under the leadership of Wolfgang Schäuble and later as a senior policy advisor on legal and internal affairs.
- Public positions: Bosbach is known for his conservative stance on issues such as immigration, law‑and‑order policies, and fiscal responsibility. He publicly opposed the German government's decision to adopt the Euro in the early 2000s and later criticized aspects of Germany’s migration policy following the 2015 refugee crisis.
Resignation and post‑political activities
In June 2017, Bosbach announced he would not seek re‑election in the subsequent federal election, citing personal reasons. After leaving the Bundestag, he returned to legal practice, joining the law firm based in Düsseldorf, and has contributed as a commentator on political and legal matters in German media outlets. He remains affiliated with the CDU as a senior advisor but does not hold elected office.
Personal life
Bosbach is married and has three children. He resides in Düsseldorf. His interests include literature, particularly German classical authors, and he is an avid supporter of local cultural initiatives.
Recognition
For his public service, Bosbach has received several honors, including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz) in 2010.
References
- German Bundestag official biography (archived).
- CDU press releases and party archives.
- Major German news outlets (e.g., Der Spiegel, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) covering Bosbach’s legislative work and public statements.