Josef Klaus

Josef Klaus ( born August 15, 1910 in Mauthen, Carinthia, † July 25, 2001 in Vienna ) was an Austrian politician ( ÖVP), 1949-1961 Governor of Salzburg and from 1961 to 1963 Minister of Finance in the government Gorbach. 1964-1970 he was Chancellor of Austria.

Life

Josef Klaus was born the son of a master baker, and his mother came from a mining family. His father died early, so the mother exercised special influence on him. Among other things, she brought the son at a young age the Italian language and shorthand at. In addition, they raised him to great piety.

Josef Klaus attended the minor seminary in Klagenfurt. As a student he was a member of the Catholic secondary school compounds K.ö.St.V. Babenberg Klagenfurt and K.ö.St.V. Almgau Salzburg ( MKV ). Then he studied in Vienna Law and was a member of the 1929 K.Ö.St.V. Rudolfina Vienna that the CV belonged to during his playing days, today the ACA. He was also a member of the Catholic fraternities AV Austria Innsbruck ( ACA ) and later the AV Edo - Tokyo Rhenaniastraße, a friendly connection of the CV.

Klaus was in 1934, Dr. iur. doctorate. Initially, he worked with Johann Staud Trade Union Confederation of the corporate state and, after a short time in the Legal Department of Labor, where he had to give the Nazis in 1938. For about a year, he worked in the private sector. 1939 Klaus was called up for military service. He served, among others, on the staff of General Heinz Guderian tanks. After the Second World War, he opened in Hallein in Salzburg a law firm and in 1948 chairman of the district People's Party Tennengau, from where he could continue his political career quickly.

"Reformers" in the ÖVP

Josef Klaus was for many years Governor of Salzburg ( 1949-1961 ) and a leading member of the Austrian People's Party. During the discussions after the resignation of Chancellor Julius Raab State Treaty Klaus's influence grew as a representative of the young " reformer ". On April 11, 1961, he was appointed as Minister of Finance in the cabinet I Gorbach and negotiated among others the last release deliveries Austrian oil to the Soviet Union Late 20th Februar 1964.

In large parts of the ÖVP it was no longer satisfied with the sedate style of politics Gorbakh: On September 20, 1963 Klagenfurt manifesto was adopted and Josef Klaus elected federal party leader of the ÖVP. On February 25, 1964 Alfons Gorbach resigned as chancellor and Klaus began negotiations on a new coalition government was sworn in on April 2 as a Cabinet Klaus I. Vice Chancellor Bruno remained Pitter man ( SPÖ), who had brought the Habsburg question in the previous government on the carpet and thus risked their inventory.

In December 1964 steps to solve the problem have been agreed with South Tyrol Italy. In February 1965, took a two-week state visit of the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, instead. In June and September 1965, floods in three or five provinces; A relief fund has been established.

Chancellor of the first single-party government since 1945

In the parliamentary elections on March 6, 1966, the People's Party since 1945, won 85 seats ( 4) for the first time the absolute majority. The Social Democrats had a choice recommendation of the CPA is not rejected, which left commentators speculate the SPÖ could possibly form a coalition with the Communist Party; this had many voters confused (SPÖ 74 seats (-2), FPÖ 6 (-2) ). The ÖVP promised to move away from unproductive style of government is becoming increasingly difficult formative ÖVP - SPÖ coalition. For this purpose, the " orientation 66 " was founded, in which many participated by ÖVP information tens of thousands of young people in courses, discussions and workshops on indoor and property policies.

After six weeks of negotiations between the ÖVP and SPÖ - ÖVP government alone Klaus II was formed, the first democratic one-party government since 1934. Fritz Bock became Vice-Chancellor. With the Klaus government began in 1966 after the 21-year -long grand coalition a period of single governments (1966-1970 ÖVP, SPÖ from 1970 to 1983 ). 1968 großkoalitionär embossed Vice Chancellor Bock was replaced by the dynamic acting Hermann Withalm.

The Klaus government began ambitious reforms, especially in the implementation of the budget and in the cooperation between science, art and politics. After a forced newspapers radio referendum against the " proportional radio " was a new Broadcasting Act adopted in June 1966 against the will of the SPÖ and therefore dismissed the ORF for a few years into independence. ( Later commentators noted, this national policy, promote high ethical standards Klaus ' has harmed himself. 've Independent ORF namely the 1967 elected opposition leader Bruno Kreisky offer excellent opportunities to perform and thus Klaus ' allows electoral defeat in 1970. )

In March 1967, the South Tyrol package was negotiated with Italy, in June the first steps towards membership of the EEC were set against which the SPÖ occurred ( and which could therefore be realized until 28 years later ).

Mid-1968, prepared by the Finance Minister Stephan Koren laws on budget reform with a simple majority ( 85:77 Votes) were decided unanimously, however, a 10% tax politicians. The opposition strongly criticized that the government was trying to balance a budget deficit by raising individual taxes. ( The pursuit of balanced budgets was mostly formulated by later governments only as " lip service ". )

In May / June 1969 of a cabinet reshuffle, as Foreign Minister, Lujo Tončić - Sorinj joined the Euro Europe as Secretary General. Alois Mock became the youngest minister of education in Austria. In January 1970, the Council of Ministers approved the merger of the OMV with the Linz nitrogen plants.

Ultimately, however, not succeeded Klaus, firmly establishing its policy of objectivity. The Chancellor proved in the new media age in which more and more TV appearances included ( Julius Raab had scoffed even on the " Radio Pictures " ) than to straight, brittle and less eloquent. Its positive side was not easy to convey the media.

The "real Austrian" lose to the challenger

During the election campaign for the elections on March 1, 1970 Josef Klaus was placarded as real Austrian, - an indirect allusion to the Jewish origins of opposition leader Kreisky, who promoted the modernization of the country. The Social Democratic Party became the strongest party ( SPÖ 81 mandates, 78 ÖVP, FPÖ 6); Kreisky formed after seven weeks negotiations with the ÖVP and the FPÖ on April 21, 1970, a minority cabinet with the connivance of the FPÖ. In 1971, the Social Democratic Party an absolute majority of seats in the National Council. Josef Klaus threw back his ÖVP presidency, his deputy Hermann Withalm took over this function.

Criticism

Klaus was alleged to have made ​​in the choice of advertising in 1970 instead of tangible policy and the new party program, the personnel decision " Klaus or Kreisky " in the foreground. Many also held his insistence on the continuation of his reform agenda in the negotiations with the SPÖ for an error. Later Klaus ' personality has been associated with drought and utter absence of showmanship in conjunction and compared with the humorous nature and telegenic his successor. However, Klaus was attested to have operated a very serious policy.

Klaus signed as a lead member of the German students at the University of Vienna in June 1932 leaflet against a renowned Jewish pharmacologists. This should bear in mind " that the German students recognize as their leaders only German teacher ". The German students take the view that " professors of Jewish Ethnicity academic dignity authorities may not hold ."

Retirement

In September 1971 Klaus ' book appeared power and powerlessness in Austria. In the following years he gave lectures and seminars, and took in the older age at official state ceremonies in part. Unlike many retired politicians he spoke as a pensioner almost never on current political issues and was no unsolicited advice.

Josef Klaus lived after his retirement from politics with his wife for a long time in Italy. In 1995, the couple moved into a retirement home in Vienna Dobling. Beginning of 2001, died Erna Klaus. A few months later, on 25 July 2001, died Josef Klaus. The funeral took place on 1 August 2001, the grave is on Grinzing Cemetery (Group 19, Number 29). The Requiem Mass in St. Stephen's Cathedral on 11 September 2001 coincided with the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center together. During the fair, the Pummerin rang out as planned.

Awards

• Ring of Salzburg (1961 )
• Grand Decoration of the State of Salzburg (1971 )
• Grand Cross of Honour in the State of Salzburg (1980 )
• Grand Gold Medal with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria (1954 )
• Grand Silver Medal with Ribbon for Services to the Republic of Austria (1960 )
• Grand Gold Medal with Ribbon for Services to the Republic of Austria (1964 )

Writings

• Power and powerlessness in Austria. Confrontations and attempts. Molden, Vienna 1971, ISBN 3-217-00346-2.