Rainer Speer

is minister of finance of the state of Brandenburg. Born 1959, he is married and has two children. Prior to his appointment as minister he was head of the state office of Brandenburg since 1999. A Berliner by birth, he completed his schooling in Falkensee before training as a locksmith. Afterwards he entered a course at the military academy of the GDR at Löbau but was ejected in 1980 due to "political unreliability".

He worked in culture and youth projects and as restaurateur before entering politics in 1989. Since 1990 he is an elected politician, serving his party and the state of Brandenburg in various roles..