Biography

• Born on 4th October 1937 in Vienna.
• Studied Economics at the University for International Trade in Vienna (degree 1960); after a career in industry he changed in 1961 to the Austrian National Bank, where he was concerned with economic issues; in 1969 doctorate in Commercial Science.
• In 1970 he became economic and fiscal advisor to the Finance Minister. From 1976 he worked in a managerial position at several banks.
• From 1984 to 1986 he held the office of Federal Finance Minister. From 1986 to 1997 he was Austrian Chancellor, from 1988 at the same time also Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Austria. After the neutrality of Austria had for a long time impeded EU membership on the domestic front, he succeeded in overcoming the Euro-scepticism of the population: a large majority of the voters expressed their wish in 1994 for Austria to join the EU.