Peer Steinbruck

ABOUT PEER STEINBRUCK

A social democratic politician who served as Germany's Minister of Finance from 2005 to 2009, under Chancellor Angela Merkel .

He worked in the office of German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt and other German ministries.

Although a democrat, he is known for be a more conservative member of the party.

His father, Ernst Steinbruck, was an architect.

He said "clowns" had won Italy's 2013 election; comedian Beppe Grillo taking one fourth of the votes.