President of Austria
The President of Austria is the federal head of state of Austria. Even though the constitution says the President has a lot of power, in practice the President is mostly a figurehead. The President of Austria is elected once in every six years. His or her offices are in the Leopoldine Wing of the Hofburg Imperial Palace, in Vienna.
Federal President of Austria | |
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Residence | Hofburg Imperial Palace |
Term length | Six years (renewable once; terms may be consecutive) |
Inaugural holder | Karl Seitz Karl Renner |
Formation | 5 March 1919 20 December 1945 |
Website | www.hofburg.at |
Many former Presidents have had a lot of popularity while in office. No incumbent has ever lost a bid for re-election. Since 2017 the President has been Alexander Van der Bellen.
List of presidents
- Karl Seitz (10 November 1920 - 9 December 1920)
- Michael Hainisch (9 December 1920 - 10 December 1928)
- Wilhelm Miklas (10 December 1920 - 12 March 1938)
- Anschluss (1938-1945)
- Karl Renner (20 December 1945 - 31 December 1950†)
- Leopold Figl (31 December 1950 - 21 June 1951; Acting)
- Theodor Körner (21 June 1951 - 4 January 1957†)
- Julius Raab (4 January 1957 - 22 May 1957; Acting)
- Adolf Schärf (22 May 1957 - 28 February 1965†)
- Josef Klaus (28 February 1965 - 9 June 1965; Acting)
- Franz Jonas (9 June 1965 - 24 April 1974†)
- Bruno Kreisky (24 April 1974 - 8 July 1974; Acting)
- Rudolf Kirchschläger (8 July 1974 - 8 July 1986)
- Kurt Waldheim (8 July 1986 - 8 July 1992)
- Thomas Klestil (8 July 1992 - 6 July 2004†)
- Andreas Khol (6 July 2004 - 8 July 2004; Acting)
- Heinz Fischer (8 July 2004 - 26 January 2017)
- Alexander Van der Bellen (26 January 2017 - present)