Austria's Female Leadership: Presidential Power?

Austria has never had a female president, but it has had a female chancellor: Brigitte Bierlein, who served as chancellor from 2019 to 2020. She was the country's first female chancellor and was appointed as an interim leader following a political scandal that brought down the previous government.

Brigitte Bierlein, Austria's first female chancellor

Austria has never had a female president, but it did have a female chancellor, Brigitte Bierlein, who served as the country's first female chancellor from June 2019 to January 2020. Bierlein was an Austrian jurist who served as president of the Constitutional Court before becoming chancellor. She was an independent and was not affiliated with any political party, although she was seen as right-leaning.

Bierlein was born in Vienna on 25 June 1949 during the Allied occupation of Austria. Her father was a civil servant, and her mother was a homemaker with a background in art. After graduating from Gymnasium Kundmanngasse in 1967, Bierlein pursued a degree in law at the University of Vienna, obtaining her doctorate in 1971. She served as a judge for four years before officially joining the judiciary in 1975. She then spent two years presiding over trial courts, dealing primarily with tenancy law cases.

In 1977, Bierlein transitioned to the role of prosecutor, joining the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office. During this time, she handled general and political criminal cases, as well as criminal cases related to media law. Her career progressed, and she became the advocate general of the Procurator's Office in 1990, making her the country's chief public prosecutor. Bierlein also served on various boards and associations, including the executive board of the International Association of Prosecutors.

In 2003, Bierlein was appointed vice president of the Constitutional Court, becoming the first woman to hold this position. She later became the court's president in February 2018. Following the "Ibiza affair" corruption scandal involving hidden-camera footage of the Freedom Party leader, Heinz-Christian Strache, offering government contracts in exchange for political favours, Austria's first chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, lost a no-confidence vote. As a result, President Alexander Van der Bellen appointed Bierlein as chancellor, making her the first woman to hold this office.

During her time as chancellor, Bierlein focused on forming a cabinet and working with political parties and civil society organisations. She appealed to the country's youth, especially young women, to help create a strong and tolerant Austria. Bierlein's term as chancellor ended in January 2020, after the next government was formed following the National Council elections. Bierlein passed away in June 2024 at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of breaking through glass ceilings and advocating for equal rights.

Chancellor Bierlein's political stance

Brigitte Bierlein, an Austrian jurist, served as the country's first female chancellor from June 2019 to January 2020. She was appointed by President Alexander Van der Bellen following a parliamentary vote of no confidence in the first government of Sebastian Kurz. Notably, Bierlein was politically independent and had no party affiliation.

Bierlein's political stance was generally considered to be right-of-centre. She had a tough-on-crime reputation from her time as a prosecutor, where she prosecuted crime with "great fervour". This earned her recognition as a hardline figure. However, her years on the bench also demonstrated her ability to work civilly with ideological opponents, fostering a reputation for civility.

Bierlein acknowledged her toughness as a prosecutor and her socially conservative leanings. She claimed to be committed to impartiality and pointed out that she had never joined any political party. Her supporters, such as Maria Fekter, also emphasised her appointment's significance for gender equality in Austria.

Bierlein's career benefited from right-of-centre coalition governments, and she maintained close ties with the People's Party and the Freedom Party. Her supporters included both parties, and her major career advancements were attributed to these right-of-centre coalitions. Nonetheless, Bierlein's independence allowed her to work above partisan politics, and she was respected for her ability to work across ideological divides.

Chancellor Bierlein's career before chancellorship

Austria's first and so far only female chancellor, Brigitte Bierlein, had a long and distinguished career in law and politics before assuming office in 2019. Born in 1949 in Vienna, Bierlein studied law at the University of Vienna, obtaining her doctorate in 1971. She began her career as a candidate judge, serving in this position for four years before being elevated to the judiciary in 1975.

As a judge, Bierlein presided over trial courts, including the District Court Innere Stadt and the District Tribunal Vienna, a criminal court that has since been dissolved. In 1977, she left the bench to join the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office, where she handled general and political criminal cases, as well as criminal cases related to media law. Bierlein's dedication and prowess in this role led to her swift promotion to the Vienna Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in 1986.

In 1990, Bierlein broke new ground by becoming the first female Advocate General of the Procurator's Office, the section of the prosecution service attached to the Supreme Court. She concurrently served on the board of examiners for judges and prosecutors at the Vienna Higher Regional Court until 2010. Bierlein's commitment to her work and gender equality in Austria was recognised in 2003 when she was appointed vice president of the Constitutional Court, becoming the first woman to hold this position.

In addition to her judicial responsibilities, Bierlein was actively involved in various professional associations. From 1995 onwards, she served on the executive board of the Association of Austrian Prosecutors and later served as its president from 2001 to 2003. She also represented Austria on the international stage as a member of the executive board of the International Association of Prosecutors during the same period. Bierlein's extensive legal experience and reputation for impartiality paved the way for her appointment as the president of the Constitutional Court in 2018, a role she held until she became chancellor in 2019.

The circumstances leading to Chancellor Bierlein's appointment

Brigitte Bierlein was appointed Austria's first female chancellor in 2019, becoming the first woman to hold the office. She served as chancellor from June 2019 until January 2020. Bierlein was an independent and had no political affiliation, although she was seen as right-wing with socially conservative views. She had close ties to both the People's Party and the Freedom Party.

The circumstances leading to Bierlein's appointment were exceptional. Her predecessor, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, was ousted after a no-confidence vote in parliament due to a video sting scandal known as "Ibiza-gate" or the "Ibiza affair." Kurz's far-right ally, Heinz-Christian Strache, was secretly filmed offering public contracts to a woman posing as a Russian investor's niece. This led to Strache's resignation and prompted Kurz to end his coalition with the Freedom Party and call for snap elections.

As a result of this political crisis, President Alexander Van der Bellen named Bierlein as chancellor of an interim government until the elections later that year. Bierlein's appointment was agreed upon with all political parties in the National Council. She was chosen for her legal expertise, having served as the president of the Constitutional Court, and her previous experience as a judge and prosecutor. Van der Bellen described her as a "prudent, far-sighted, and highly competent personality."

Bierlein's task was to lead the country through a turbulent time and form a cabinet to govern until the upcoming elections. She held talks with political parties and civil society organizations, seeking to win the trust of Austrians during her interim leadership. Despite her brief tenure, Bierlein's appointment as Austria's first female chancellor was seen as a significant step forward for gender equality and breaking through glass ceilings.

Chancellor Bierlein's death

On Monday, 3 June 2024, Austria's first female chancellor, Brigitte Bierlein, passed away at the age of 74. Bierlein's death came as a shock to many, including current Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who praised her as a "shining example of self-determination, equality and breaking through glass ceilings". Bierlein's death was caused by a brief and serious illness, according to the Constitutional Court of Austria.

Bierlein had an illustrious career in law and politics. She served as the president of the Constitutional Court of Austria from February 2018 until her appointment as chancellor in June 2019. Bierlein led an interim government for seven months after her predecessor, Sebastian Kurz, lost a no-confidence vote due to the "Ibiza affair" corruption scandal. Despite being an independent with no political affiliation, she was well-respected across the political spectrum for her toughness as a prosecutor and her civility as a judge.

Bierlein's appointment as chancellor was a significant moment for women in Austria. In her inaugural address, she appealed to the country's youth, especially young women, to help build a "strong, livable and tolerant Austria". Bierlein's leadership of an interim government during a time of political turmoil was characterised by her commitment and love for her country. She was unmarried and had no children, often telling Austrian media that she could not have balanced a career and children.

Bierlein's death prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from political figures. Chancellor Nehammer recognised her as one of Austria's "most distinguished lawyers, most dutiful civil servants and most influential daughters". European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also mourned Bierlein's passing, stating that she was "deeply saddened" and highlighting Bierlein's competent leadership during challenging times.

Bierlein's legacy is that of a trailblazer who broke through glass ceilings and inspired future generations of women in Austria and beyond. Her life and accomplishments will continue to serve as a shining example for those striving for self-determination and equality.

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