European Economic Senate
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The European Economic Senate (EES) is a neutral and independent body of enterprises and individuals that represent European business interests. The EES, with its national sections in six EU-countries, was founded in 2003. The EES President is the former Vice-President of the European Parliament, German conservative politician Dr. Ingo Friedrich.
Currently, 162 companies and economic leaders form the EES. Among these so-called senators are the CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG, Rüdiger Grube, the prime minister of Luxembourg and president of the Euro Group, Jean-Claude Juncker, and Roland Koch, the former German head of government of Hesse and former CEO of Bilfinger Berger.
National sections have been founded in middle and eastern European countries; in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Slovakia. With 49 senators, Germany represents the biggest national EES section.
EES President Dr. Ingo Friedrich was a long-time Member of the European Parliament (1979-2009). From July 2004 to January 2007, he was one of the 14 vice-presidents of the European Parliament. In 2007, he was elected one of its 6 Quaestors. Secretary-General of the European Economic Senate is Wolfgang Franken. Michael Jäger is the Chief Executive Officer.