Gesine Meißner

Gesine Meißner (or Meissner; born 22 February 1952 in Uelzen) is a German politician for the Free Democratic Party.

Early life and career

Gesine Meissner was born in 1952 in Uelzen, Lower Saxony, Germany. She studied nutritional science and home economics, German and English, communication and pedagogic in Munich (1971-1974) and Hanover (1976-1980). From 1984 until 1993, Meissner was the deputy director of the "Rural Adult Education Lower Saxony" association. Since 1993, has been working as a freelance communication trainer.

Political career

Meissner was elected to the Lower Saxon Landtag in 2003, and has been re-elected in 2008. From 2003 to 2009, she chaired the Committee on Health and Social Affairs.

Member of the European Parliament

In 2009 Meissner was elected to the European Parliament. She is currently the coordinator of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group on the Committee on Transport and Tourism and a substitute member in the Development Committee as well as in the Committee on Fisheries. Meissner is also a member of the EU-Mexico and Euro-Latin America Delegations. In addition, she is the chairwoman of the European Parliament Intergroup on Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas; a vice-chairwoman of the European Parliament Intergroup on the Freedom of Religion and Belief and Religious Tolerance; and a member of the European Parliament Intergroup on LGBT Rights.