 |
Bruno CrayskiyChancellor of Austria 1970-83
Date of Birth: 22.01.1911
Country:  Austria |
Content:
- Biography of Bruno Kreisky
- Political Career and Exile
- Return to Austria and Political Career
- Foreign Minister and Chancellor
Biography of Bruno Kreisky
Early Life and EducationBruno Kreisky, the Chancellor of Austria from 1970-1983, was born on January 11, 1911, into a conservative family in Austria-Hungary. Despite his family's conservative beliefs, Kreisky joined the youth organization of the Austrian Social Democratic Party at the age of fourteen. In 1929, he graduated from a gymnasium and went on to study law at the University of Vienna, following the advice of Otto Bauer, the leader of the Austrian Social Democracy.
Political Career and Exile
After the activities of the Social Democratic Workers' Party of Austria were banned in 1934, Kreisky frequently traveled to Brno, Czechoslovakia, where the headquarters of the social democratic emigration were located. In January 1935, he was arrested and stood trial in Austria. His speech during the trial gained him notoriety, and the British press coverage of the "Trial of the Twenty-One" stirred public opinion across Europe. Despite the attention, Kreisky received a comparatively lenient sentence. In June 1936, he resumed his studies at the University of Vienna and successfully obtained a degree in law in 1937.
On March 12, 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany, and mass arrests began. Kreisky narrowly escaped imprisonment in the Dachau concentration camp due to the investigating officer being his former cellmate. After six months of imprisonment, he was released and fled to Sweden. During World War II, Sweden welcomed many refugees, and Kreisky established himself as a journalist. He worked as a correspondent for various European newspapers and had meetings with Soviet diplomats.
Return to Austria and Political Career
In January 1951, Kreisky returned to Austria with his wife and two children. He began working in the office of the Austrian President, Theodor Körner, who was a prominent member of the Social Democratic Party. During that time, Austria was engaged in intense diplomatic negotiations regarding its future. The establishment of the NATO military-political bloc in 1949 made Austria an important element in the West's defense strategy against the perceived "threat from the East." However, some politicians, including Vyacheslav Molotov, aimed to subjugate Austria to their influence.
Kreisky advocated for Austria's neutrality, a position that was supported by realistic-minded politicians within the "Grand Coalition" parties, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) and the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). In July 1943, the Club of Austrian Socialists in Sweden issued a resolution stating their demand for the restoration of an independent, democratic republic and rejecting Austria's affiliation with the German Reich. Kreisky would later elaborate on the concept of the "Austrian path to democratic socialism," frequently referring to Sweden as an example. In the spring of 1945, the leaders of the rejuvenated SPÖ decided that Kreisky should stay in Sweden as an advisor to the Austrian diplomatic mission. This decision aimed to foster business contacts with Swedish industrialists who could assist in Austria's economic reconstruction. It was also influenced by the fact that Kreisky was married to Vera Fürth, the daughter of a prominent Swedish entrepreneur of Austrian origin.
In the early 1950s, Kreisky left diplomatic service and began working in the Chancellery of the Austrian President, where he played a role in the final round of negotiations leading to the signing of the Austrian State Treaty in May 1955, which granted Austria long-awaited sovereignty.
Foreign Minister and Chancellor
Following the proclamation of Austrian neutrality, Austria's diplomatic service required flexibility in international affairs. Unlike Switzerland, Austria sought to actively participate in addressing global issues. Kreisky became the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1959 and conducted over 100 state visits within seven years. He attended sessions at the United Nations General Assembly, meetings of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and sessions of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). He also had meetings with leaders such as Khrushchev, Kennedy, Adenauer, and de Gaulle. In the mid-1960s, some politicians even proposed Kreisky as a candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.
During an extraordinary congress of the SPÖ in early 1967, Kreisky was elected chairman. In the following years, while leading the party, he demonstrated his ability to find solutions that gave the SPÖ undeniable advantages in political battles, despite his Jewish background and relative inexperience in party affairs.
In the elections held in March 1970, the SPÖ emerged victorious, and Kreisky became the Chancellor of Austria.
As Chancellor, Kreisky had limited time for his personal interest in foreign policy matters. However, he made significant contributions to the convening of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. He also played a crucial role in the signing of the Helsinki Final Act in August 1975. Kreisky dedicated considerable effort to the reduction of the arms race and actively engaged in discussions on North-South relations and conflict resolution in various regions of the world. His diplomatic skills, including his ability to listen and understand others' viewpoints, earned him respect among international leaders.
Kreisky closely followed the developments in the Middle East. He criticized the Israeli government, even during the period of pro-Israeli optimism, for disregarding the interests of its Arab neighbors. He consistently supported the Palestinian cause and advocated for dialogue with the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). In July 1979, Kreisky and his old friend Willy Brandt met with Yasser Arafat in Vienna.
In the elections held in April 1983, the SPÖ lost its absolute majority in parliament. Kreisky, who had expressed his desire to retire due to health issues and exhaustion, finally stepped away from active politics. He assumed the honorary position of Chairman of the Austrian Social Democratic Party.
After retirement, Kreisky continued to participate in the work of the Socialist International (SI). In the late 1980s, he led the European Commission on Employment Issues and contributed to the development of documents adopted by the SI at its last congress in Stockholm in June 1989. Kreisky received numerous international awards for his contributions to solving political problems.
On August 7, 1990, Bruno Kreisky passed away, leaving behind a legacy as a great Austrian statesman.
