Werner Faymann

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Werner Faymann
Werner Faymann 2015.jpg
Chancellor of Austria
Assumed office
2 December 2008
President Heinz Fischer
Deputy Josef Pröll
Michael Spindelegger
Reinhold Mitterlehner
Preceded by Alfred Gusenbauer
Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology
In office
11 January 2007 – 23 November 2008
Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer
Preceded by Hubert Gorbach
Succeeded by Doris Bures
Personal details
Born (1960-05-04) 4 May 1960 (age 64)
Vienna, Austria
Political party Social Democratic Party
Spouse(s) Martina Ludwig
Children 2
Alma mater Henriettenplatz High School
Religion Roman Catholicism
Signature

Werner Faymann (German: [ˈvɛɐ̯nɐ ˈfaɪman]; born 4 May 1960) is an Austrian politician who has been Chancellor of Austria and chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) since 2008.

Early life and education

Werner Faymann was born in Vienna, Austria[1] and graduated from grammar school (en‑GB) / high school (en‑US) there.[2] He enrolled at the University of Vienna (jurisprudence, political science, and history of art) but attended just one lecture there without taking any exams. Instead, he worked as a taxi driver.[3]

Career

In 1981, Faymann became provincial chairman of the Socialist Youth Vienna (Sozialistische Jugend Wien). From 1985 to 1988 Faymann was a consultant to the bank Zentralsparkasse der Gemeinde Wien (now UniCredit Bank Austria AG). The bank at the time was closely linked to the municipal government dominated by the Social Democrats.[4] He left the bank to become director and provincial chairman of the Viennese Tenants' counselling. Subsequently, he became a member of the Viennese state parliament and municipal council, where he held various positions concerning housing construction and urban renewal.[5]

Faymann was Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology in the Cabinet of Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer. On 16 June 2008 Faymann succeeded Gusenbauer as chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) and led the party in the snap legislative elections, held on 28 September 2008. The election was famously preceded by Faymann and Gusenbauer announcing a shift in the party's position towards the signing of new EU treaties, which they did by writing an open letter to Hans Dichand, the editor of the yellow press medium Kronen Zeitung. At the time, the Kronen Zeitung was the largest newspaper in the country. The letter caused a scandal within the party, as no party committee had been involved in deciding the shift. The pro-EU Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) cancelled the existing coalition, thus causing the elections. Faymann was known for his good relationship to now-deceased Dichand, who would also support him in the following election campaign. Although the SPÖ lost 11 seats, and had a 6% swing against it (in fact, their worst result since World War II), they came out ahead of their main rivals Austrian People's Party in regard to seats (57 to 51) as well as to share of the vote (29.26% to 25.98%).[5][6] Afterwards, Faymann renewed the coalition with the Austrian People's Party, as he had announced before the election.

Chancellor

Faymann meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 11 December 2008

As head of the largest party in the National Council of Austria, Faymann was asked by Federal President Heinz Fischer on 8 October 2008 to form a new government.[7]

A coalition between the SPÖ and the ÖVP was agreed upon on 23 November 2008 and was sworn in on 2 December 2008.[8]

In domestic affairs, Faymann's administration has been notable in enacting a wide range of progressive reforms in areas such as education and social security.[9][10][11]

Private life

Faymann is a Roman Catholic.[1] He is married and has two children.[5][12]

See also

References

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External links

Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Social Democratic Party
2008–present		 Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Chancellor of Austria
2008–present		 Incumbent

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