Johannes Laitenberger

Johannes Laitenberger is the director general of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Competition. He took office on 1 September 2015. Under the political guidance of Commissioner Vestager, he manages the Directorate General within the framework set by its mission statement and work programme.He has been deputy director general of the Commission’s Legal Service (2014–2015); head of cabinet of President Barroso (2009–2014); spokesperson of the European Commission (2005–2009); and head of cabinet of Commissioner Reding (2003–2004).Johannes Laitenberger started his career in the European Institutions in 1996 as an adviser in the General Secretariat of the Council. In 1999, he joined the Commission as a case handler in the Directorate General for Competition and soon became a member of Commissioner Reding’s cabinet (1999–2003).He studied philosophy at the Portuguese Catholic University in Lisbon and law at the University of Bonn. He also qualified as a German lawyer.