Horst Kohler, born in Skierbieszow, Poland in 1943, moved to Germany with his family in early 1945.

Kohler read economics at the Eberhard Karls University in Tbingen from 1965 to 1969, graduating with a degree in economics. In 1977 he obtained his doctorate at the University of Tbingen. In 2003 the University of Tbingen made him a guest professor.

In 1976, he joined the Policy Principles Directorate-General of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Finance.

From 1981 to 1982, he worked as advisor to Gerhard Stoltenberg, then Minister-President of Land Schleswig-Holstein, at the State Chancellery in Kiel.

Kohler has served as member of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since December 1981.

Federal Finance Minister Theo Waigel appointed Horst Kohler as State Secretary with effect from January 1990.

In August 1993, Kohler left the federal government to serve as president of the German Savings Bank Association, where he remained until 1998.

In September 1998, Horst Kohler was appointed president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London.

In May 2000, Horst Kohler began to serve as managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In May 2004, Kohler was elected German President and took office from July 2004.

Source: China Daily