Ernst Hinsken

Local politics Even during his time as a professional baker, Hinsken had been passionate for politics, with a close friend later saying of him that he "only had politics on his mind". In 1995, Hinsken was named deputy chairman of the CSU's district association in Lower Bavaria. This was his first time running for a federal election. Early in his parliamentary career, Hinsken was an advocate for small businesses as a member of the so-called "flour faction" of bakers and millers in parliament. In 2009, Hinsken was named chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Technology, succeeding Eduard Oswald.

Hinsken played a major part in the organisation of the 2008 Franco-German summit, held in Straubing. He had convinced Chancellor Angela Merkel to hold the summit in his constituency, over the wishes of then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Hinsken said in an interview that Sarkozy had initially complained about going to "the middle of nowhere", but later "was over the moon" following an outpouring of support from the people of Straubing.

Personal life and death Hinsken was Catholic. He was married and had two children.

Hinsken was a voluntary member of the advisory boards at the Tourism Association of Eastern Bavaria, the Academy for Tourism in Freiburg, Bavarian Tourismus Marketing GmbH, and the Munich University of Applied Sciences. He was also a member of the board of directors at the Sparkasse Straubing-Bogen and the advisory board at the Savings Banks Association of Bavaria. Hinsken served as president of the German Spa Association.

Hinsken died on 30 August 2020 in Regensburg at the age of 77.

Awards

Bavarian Order of Merit Federal Cross of Merit State Medal for Special Services to the Bavarian Economy Golden Ring of Honor of German Crafts Municipal Medal of Merit in Silver Constitutional Medal in Silver