Thomas Kossendey

Thomas Kossendey (born 4 March 1948) is a German politician, lawyer, and former member of the Bundestag. A member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), he was elected to the Bundestag in 1987 and served until 2013. Kossendey was elected via the state list of Lower Saxony until 2009, when he was elected directly to the constituency of Oldenburg – Ammerland. He served as the Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Defence between 2006 and 2013.

Early life and education Thomas Kossendey was born in Ammerland on 4 March 1948. He graduated from gymnasium school in 1967.

Kossendey served in the Bundeswehr for 18 months following his graduation from high school and completed basic military training. After his military service, Kossendey studied political science and law at the University of Cologne and the University of Münster.

Local politics Between 1974 and 1980, Kossendey was the chairman of the Young Union Oldenburg State Association. when he won the direct mandate for his constituency.

He was a member of the Defense Committee between 1987 and 2006, and was its deputy chairman from 1998 onwards. From 2006 until his retirement in 2013, he served as the Parliamentary State Secretary to the Minister of Defence.

In 2013, Kossendey retired from the Bundestag after 27 years.

Personal life Kossendey is married to his wife Claudia and has one son, Jonas. He is Catholic. His hobbies include tennis and gardening.