Wolfgang
Schmidt
former Federal Minister
Wolfgang Schmidt is one of Germany's most experienced political strategists. For more than two decades, he shaped policy at the highest levels — in Berlin and Hamburg, across Europe, and on the international stage. Along the way, he built an extensive network spanning German and international politics, business, academia, media, and international organisations.
From 2021 until May 2025, he served as Federal Minister for Special Affairs and Head of the Federal Chancellery — the office at the heart of German government coordination — as well as Commissioner for the Federal Intelligence Services. His tenure was defined by Germany's support for Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion and by the country's response to the Zeitenwende: the fundamental shift in German foreign, security, and energy policy triggered by the war.
Before that, he was State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance and Germany's G7 and G20 Deputy. Prior to that, he spent seven years as State Councillor and Plenipotentiary of the City of Hamburg to the Federal Government, the European Union, and for Foreign Affairs.
Born and raised in Hamburg, Wolfgang Schmidt is based in Berlin and works as an adviser and speaker on European and transatlantic affairs, economic, financial, and security policy, as well as strategic decision-making.
He is a member of the Council of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and of the advisory board of the Baden-Baden Entrepreneurial Talks (BBUG).
since May 2025
Speaking engagements, discussions, advisory work
Dec. 2021 – May 2025
Federal Minister for Special Affairs & Head of the Federal Chancellery; Commissioner for the Federal Intelligence Services
2018 – 2021
State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance; G7 and G20 Deputy; Alternate Governor of the World Bank
2015 – 2018
Member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR)
2014/15
Chair of the German Conference of European Affairs Ministers (EMK)
2011 – 2018
State Councillor and Plenipotentiary of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to the Federal Government, the European Union, and for Foreign Affairs
2010 – 2011
Director, International Labour Organization (ILO) · Berlin Office
2010
Seminar on Security Policy; Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS)
2007 – 2009
Head of the Minister's Office; Head of the Executive Planning Staff; Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
2005 – 2007
Chief of Staff to the Parliamentary Business Manager of the SPD Bundestag Group
2002 – 2005
Personal adviser and Chief of Staff to the SPD Secretary-General; SPD Executive Board
2001 – 2003
Vice-President of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), youth organisation of the Socialist International
2002
Second State Law Examination (Bar qualification)
2000 – 2002
Legal clerkship at the Hanseatic Court of Appeal, Hamburg; international placement at the German Embassy in Mexico City
1997 – 2000
Research assistant, Chair of Prof. Dr. Peter Behrens, Faculty of Law, University of Hamburg
1997
First State Law Examination
1991 – 1997
Law degree, University of Hamburg and Universidad de Deusto (Bilbao, Spain)
1990
Civilian service (Zivildienst), Hamburg State Youth Ring
1989
Joined the SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany)
1970
Born in Hamburg
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Press Photos
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↓ Download · Photo: Julia Steinigeweg
↓ Download · Photo: SPD-Parteivorstand