Disgraced German re-emerges as European Commission adviser

Dec 12, 2011, 12:24 GMT

Brussels - Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a disgraced German politician who went into self-imposed exile nine months ago, re-emerged Monday with an honorary post as a European Union adviser.

The 40-year-old, once considered the rising star of German conservatism, was forced to resign the defence ministry in March when it emerged that he had copied parts of his 2006 university thesis without credit.

Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner responsible for digital issues, said Guttenberg would advise her on how the EU can support bloggers and cyber-activists suffering repression in authoritarian nations.

'I'm looking for talent, not for saints,' said Kroes in a riposte to German media criticism of the appointment.

Guttenberg faces hostility in Germany, from both his old enemies and his former political allies, who fumed last month when he said that centre-right parties were no longer convincing.

'This is not a political comeback,' Guttenberg insisted at a joint Brussels news conference. 'I've moved to the United States and I'm not planning to come back in the next few weeks or months.'

The post as independent adviser is unpaid and has no time limit.

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