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Thilo Sarrazin

Thilo Sarrazin
Thilo Sarrazin030709.jpg
Thilo Sarrazin (2009)
Berlin Senator of Finance
In office
17 January 2002 – 30 April 2009
Preceded by Christiane Krajewski ()
Succeeded by Ulrich Nußbaum ()
Personal details
Born (1945-02-12) 12 February 1945 (age 72)
Gera, Germany
Nationality Germany
Political party SPD
Spouse(s) Ursula (née Breit)
Alma mater University of Bonn
Profession Economist, Politician, Writer

Thilo Sarrazin (born 12 February 1945) is a German politician (SPD), writer, and former member of the Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank (until 30 September 2010). He previously served as senator of finance for the State of Berlin from January 2002 until April 2009, when he was appointed to his position at Bundesbank.

He became well-known worldwide after publishing a controversial book about Muslim immigrants in Germany in 2010. In his book Deutschland schafft sich ab[] ("Germany abolishes itself"), he denounces the failure of Germany's post-war immigration policy, sparking a nationwide controversy about the costs and benefits of multiculturalism.

In 2012 another book by Sarrazin was published, Europa braucht den Euro nicht ("Europe doesn't need the euro"). The book argues that the introduction of a single currency in Europe was a bad idea and should be overturned.

Sarrazin was born in Gera, Germany. His father was a doctor and his mother was the daughter of a West Prussian landowner. His paternal ancestors were French Huguenots who originated in Burgundy, while his grandmother was English and another ancestor was Italian. He has explained that his name means saracen (i.e. Muslim) and is common in Southern France: "It is derived from the Arab pirates that were called 'Saracens' in the Middle Ages". He has referred to himself as "a European mongrel".

He grew up in Recklinghausen where he graduated from the local gymnasium after which he did his military service. From 1967 to 1971, he studied economics at the University of Bonn, earning his doctorate. From November 1973 to December 1974 he worked for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and became active in the SPD.


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