Original: Karl Ernst Thomas de MaiziÃ re (; born 21 January 1954) is a German politician (CDU), currently serving as the Minister of Defense (since 3 March 2011) in the Second Cabinet of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Simplified: Dr. Karl Ernst Thomas de MaiziÃ re (born 21 January 1954 in Bonn) was the Minister for Special Affairs in the German government and Head of the Federal Chancellery. On 3 March 2011, because of Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg's resignation, de MaiziÃ re became Federal Minister for Defense.