From Staffer in One State to Member of the Federal Senate from Another--in Germany

by Karl Kurtz

As we reported in "Crossing State Lines to Commit Public Service," in the United States we know of staffers who have become legislators (and sometimes governors), legislators who have become staffers, legislators who have served in more than one state, and legislators who have become staffers in another state. But I've never heard of anything like the job transition of Dr. Juergen Schoening in Germany--from legislative staffer to cabinet officer in another state and member of the national parliament.

After serving for 21 years as director of the Schleswig-Holstein state legislature--a nonpartisan position similar to clerk or chief administrative officer in the U.S. or secretary-general in other countries--Juergen moved to the state of Thuringia in 2009 and became minister of federal and European affairs. This ministry carries with it the responsibility to serve as a member of the Bundesrat, the second chamber of Germany's national parliament equivalent to our U.S. Senate.

Juergen is a long-time member of the Partnership of Parliaments and a regular attendee at NCSL's annual Legislative Summit.