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Austria has had many famous political leaders throughout history, including the current president, Alexander Van der Bellen, and the infamous Austrian-born German politician, Adolf Hitler. More recently, Herbert Kickl, the leader of Austria's Freedom Party, has been making headlines as the country's far-right leader. Other notable Austrian politicians include Heinz Fischer, Franz Vranitzky, and Wolfgang Schüssel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Political Leader born in Austria | Adolf Hitler |
| Date of Birth | 20 April 1889 |
| Place of Birth | Braunau am Inn in Austria-Hungary |
| Political Party | Nazi Party |
| Title | Führer und Reichskanzler |
| Other Austrian Politicians | Arnold Schwarzenegger, Heinz Fischer, Franz Vranitzky, Wolfgang Schüssel, Maria Theresa, Joseph II, Franz Joseph I of Austria |
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What You'll Learn
- Adolf Hitler, born in Braunau am Inn, was a German-Austrian politician and dictator of Nazi Germany
- Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria's Freedom Party, is a far-right politician with anti-immigration views
- Alexander Van der Bellen, the current president of Austria, is not affiliated with the two dominant political parties
- Jörg Haider, former leader of the Freedom Party of Austria, was criticised for his anti-immigrant statements and praise of Nazi policies
- Heinz Fischer is one of the most famous living Austrian politicians
Adolf Hitler, born in Braunau am Inn, was a German-Austrian politician and dictator of Nazi Germany
Adolf Hitler, born in Braunau am Inn, Austria, on 20 April 1889, was a German-Austrian politician who served as the dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 until his suicide in 1945. Hitler's political career began in 1919 when he joined the German Workers' Party (DAP), the precursor to the Nazi Party. In 1921, he was appointed leader of the Nazi Party, and in 1933, he became the chancellor of Germany. The following year, he took the title of Führer und Reichskanzler.
Hitler's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 marked the start of World War II. He was closely involved in military operations throughout the war and was central to the perpetration of the Holocaust, which resulted in the genocide of about six million Jews and millions of other victims deemed "Untermenschen" (subhumans) by Hitler and his followers.
Before rising to power, Hitler lived a tumultuous early life. He lived in Vienna during the first decade of the 1900s before moving to Germany in 1913. During World War I, he served in the German Army and was decorated with the Iron Cross. After the war, he joined the DAP, which would eventually become the Nazi Party under his leadership.
Hitler's legacy is one of evil and destruction. The historian and biographer Ian Kershaw described him as "the embodiment of modern political evil." Under his leadership and racist ideology, the Nazi regime was responsible for the genocide of millions and the deaths of countless others. The number of civilians killed during World War II was unprecedented, and the conflict remains the deadliest in history.
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Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria's Freedom Party, is a far-right politician with anti-immigration views
Herbert Kickl is the leader of Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ). The party is known for its far-right, anti-immigration, and Euroskeptic views, and it has called for tighter border controls and an end to the right to asylum. Kickl himself has used the term "Bevölkerungsaustausch", which translates to "population exchange" or "transfer", a term adjacent to the French "grand remplacement" or "great replacement". This conspiracy theory asserts that non-white immigrants are being brought into Europe to replace its white populations.
Kickl's party has also called for an end to sanctions against Russia and is critical of Western military aid to Ukraine. It wants to withdraw from the European Sky Shield Initiative, a missile defense project launched by Germany. The Freedom Party is part of a right-wing populist alliance in the European Parliament called "Patriots for Europe", which includes the parties of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the Netherlands' Geert Wilders.
In September 2024, the Freedom Party won 29% of the vote in Austria's national election, nearly doubling its share from the previous election. This victory triggered delight in conservative circles across Europe, with congratulations pouring in from other right-wing leaders. The party's win gave it a mandate to try to form a new government, which would be the first headed by the far-right in Austria since World War II.
In January 2025, Kickl gave a statement to the press, announcing his intention to invite the mainstream centre-right party for coalition talks. He described his vision for a "new era of politics" built on "hard work, honesty, and courage". However, any coalition between the Freedom Party and the centre-right party would be challenging due to their differences on issues like Ukraine and European defence. Despite this, the Freedom Party's rise in Austria and its potential impact on the country's political landscape remain significant developments, both domestically and across Europe.
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Alexander Van der Bellen, the current president of Austria, is not affiliated with the two dominant political parties
Alexander Van der Bellen is the current president of Austria, having been elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2022. Van der Bellen is notable for being the first president of Austria not affiliated with the two dominant political parties, the Social Democratic Party and the People's Party. Instead, he ran as a nominally independent candidate, although he was supported by the Greens and the Green Party, of which he was a member for 18 years.
Van der Bellen's 2016 election was highly contested. He initially lost the first round of voting, coming second to Norbert Hofer of the Freedom Party. However, the second round of voting was annulled due to irregularities in the counting of postal votes, and a second runoff election was held in December 2016, which Van der Bellen won with 53.8% of the vote.
Van der Bellen's victory was significant as it prevented Hofer's far-right Freedom Party from taking power. The Freedom Party had campaigned on an anti-immigration, euroskeptic platform, and opposed sanctions against Russia. Van der Bellen, on the other hand, has described himself as a centrist liberal who supports green and social liberal policies, European federalism, and the European Union.
During his presidency, Van der Bellen has had to navigate a series of political scandals and the rise of far-right parties in Austria. He became the first president to dismiss a chancellor and an entire Cabinet as a result of a parliamentary ouster. He has also had to address economic challenges, including rising unemployment and a persistent recession in Austria.
Van der Bellen's family history is closely tied to political upheaval in Europe. His patrilineal ancestors emigrated from the Netherlands to the Russian Empire in the 18th century, and his grandfather served as the head of the civilian regional government in Pskov. During the Russian Civil War, his family fled to Estonia, where his parents met and married. In 1940, his family fled Estonia due to the Soviet invasion, eventually settling in Austria.
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Jörg Haider, former leader of the Freedom Party of Austria, was criticised for his anti-immigrant statements and praise of Nazi policies
Austrian politician Jörg Haider, born in Bad Goisern, Upper Austria, was the former leader of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). He was a controversial figure, known for his anti-immigrant statements and praise of Nazi policies. Haider joined the right-wing Freedom Party in 1976 and became the party leader in 1986, transforming it from a fringe movement to a mainstream party. He was also elected governor of Carinthia in 1989.
Haider's anti-immigrant rhetoric and stoking fears about immigration in Austria played a significant role in his political career. Arnold Schwarzenegger, an Austrian-American politician, criticised Haider's anti-immigrant remarks, expressing his hope for a tolerant and open society in Austria. Schwarzenegger's statement highlighted the concern that Haider's comments could negatively impact the world's perception of the country.
In addition to his anti-immigrant stance, Haider was criticised for praising Nazi policies. In a parliamentary debate in 1991, Haider made a controversial statement praising the \"proper employment policy\" of the Nazi government, comparing it favourably to the policies of the SPÖ government. This remark led to a vote of no confidence against him, resulting in his resignation as governor. Despite later attempts to distance himself from these statements, Haider's comments fuelled accusations of antisemitism and sparked protests by anti-Nazi demonstrators.
Haider's parents were early members of the Austrian Nazi Party, and his family's history influenced his political career. He inherited a fortune from his great-uncle, which included a large estate purchased from a Jewish owner in 1939. Haider's political career was marked by his ability to exploit concerns about immigration and resentment towards the European Union. His inclusion in the Austrian government in 2000 led to diplomatic sanctions and criticism from other EU members, who viewed his party as right-wing extremists.
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Heinz Fischer is one of the most famous living Austrian politicians
In January 2004, Fischer announced his intention to run for president. He was elected on 25 April 2004 as the candidate of the opposition Social Democratic Party, polling 52.4% of the votes. Fischer was sworn in on 8 July 2004 and served as President of Austria until 2016, winning re-election in 2010. Fischer's time as president was marked by his commitment to democracy and improving the lives of the Austrian people. He was also known for his support of a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, speaking alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2010.
Following his presidency, Fischer continued to hold several prominent positions. In 2016, he was named president of the Association of Austrian Adult Education Centres, and in 2017, he co-founded the Ban Ki-Moon Centre for Global Citizens, an international non-governmental organisation headquartered in Vienna. Fischer has also written several books in the fields of political science and contemporary history. He is married to Margit Fischer (born Binder), and they have two children and three grandchildren.
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Frequently asked questions
Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn in Austria-Hungary. He was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 until his death in 1945.
Karl Renner was installed as the first president of Austria on 20 December 1945.
Alexander Van der Bellen is the current president of Austria. He is generally associated with the Green Party.
Herbert Kickl is the leader of Austria's Freedom Party. He is also known as the "People's Chancellor".
