vips

ALSO SEE

Chiefs of State and Heads of Government Foreign Affairs World Parliaments Federated States and Provinces Political Weekly Factbook International Organizations

AUSTRIA

(Öesterreich - Austria)

(Republik Oesterreich / Republic of Austria)

NEW GOVERNEMENT SINCE FEBRUARY 4th 2000
The government is formed by the ÖVP and FPÖ

Austria is a member of the European Union

MINISTERS

Wolfgang Schüssel - Federal Chancellor

Born : in Vienna on June 7th 1945

Education/profession : Following his elementary schooling, he attended a well-known classical grammar school in Vienna (the "Schottengymnasium") where he took his secondary school leaving certificate in 1963. He went on to study at Vienna University and received a Doctorate in Law in 1968.

Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party)

Political career : Secretary of the parliamentary group of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) from 1968 to 1975. From 1975 to April, 1991 he was Secretary General of the Austrian Business Federation, a sub-organisation of the People's Party. On April 24th 1989 became Minister for Economic Affairs in the coalition government formed by the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and the People's Party under Chancellor Franz Vranitzky. At the 30th Party Congress of the ÖVP, was elected national leader of the Party on April 22nd 1995. On May 4th 1995 was sworn in as Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs in Franz Vranitzky fourth government. He held the same posts in Chancellor Vranitzky's fifth Cabinet. In Chancellor Klima's first government, from January 28th 1997 to February 4th 2000, she was again Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs. On February 4th 2000 was sworn in as Federal Chancellor.

Dr.Susanne Riess-Passer - Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Public Services and Sports

Born : 03 January 1961in Braunau am Inn, Upper Austria

Education/profession Elementary school Mattighofen 1967-1971, newlinguistic High School Salzburg 1971-1979, study of the jurisprudence at the University of Innsbruck (Dr. iur.) 1979-1984. From 1983 to 1984 she did her practical training at the Innsbruck Regional Court and afterwards worked at a law firm until 1985. From 1985 to 1986 she was in charge of press reports at major sports events.

Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria)

Political career : From 1987 to 1993 she held the position of national press officer for the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ). Since 1993 she has worked as an adviser on international affairs for the FPÖ and has managed the affairs of the Office of the party's national leader since 1996. From 1991 to 1998 represented the FPÖ in the Federal Assembly, being elected chairwoman of her party's parliamentary group in 1993. Since 1994 has been deputy national leader of the Party. From 1995 to 1996 she was a member of the European Parliament. She has been the FPÖ's executive national leader since 1996. From March to October 1999 she was a member of the Tyrol State Parliament, and from October 1999 to February 10th 2000 had a seat in the National Assembly. On February 4th 2000 was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as Vice-Chancellor.

Dr.Benita-Maria Ferrero-Waldner - Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs

Born : on 5 September, 1948, in Salzburg

Education/profession : Secondary school leaving certificate at a grammar school in 1966. She went on to study at the University of Salzburg and received a Doctorate in Law in 1970. Worked in business as an export manager from 1971 to 1978 in Germany. From 1978 to 1981 she was sales manager for Europe for a New York Company before moving back to the German company where she became assistant to the managing director.

Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria)

Political career After a short period at the Austrian Embassy in Madrid, she passed the entrance examination of the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Vienna in June, 1984, and entered the diplomatic service. From September, 1984, to January, 1986, she worked in several departments of the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She pursued her career as a First Secretary at the Austrian Embassy in Dakar, in the Development Aid Department of the Foreign Ministry and as Councillor for Economic Affairs at the Austrian Embassy in Paris where she was also deputy Head of Mission and Chargé d'affaires ad interim. From February, 1993, to December, 1993, holding the rank of Minister plenipotentiary, was Deputy Chief of Protocol of the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs. On 1 January 1994, she became Chief of Protocol of the United Nations in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary General in New York. Was sworn in on 4 May 1995, as Minister of State in the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Chancellor Vranitzky's fourth Government. She remained in the Cabinet in Mr. Vranitzky's fifth Government. She retained her post of Minister of State in the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Chancellor Klima's first Government, which took office on 28 January 1997. On 4 February 2000, Dr. Ferrero-Waldner was sworn in as Minister for Foreign Affairs in Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel's first Government.

Dr.Martin Bartenstein - Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Labour

Born : on June 3rd 1953 in Graz, Styria.

Education/profession He took his secondary school leaving certificate in 1971 at a well-known classical grammar school (Akademisches Gymnasium) in Graz. After a summer term at Miami University (Ohio, USA), he studied chemistry at Graz University and received his Doctorate in 1978. In 1980 was named sole managing director of the Bartenstein family company, Lannacher Heilmittel GmbH, a pharmaceutical firm. In 1986 he became chief executive of Genericon Pharma GesmbH and in 1990 he joined the board of directors of the Pharmavit AG, Budapest.

Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party)

Political career In 1988 was made federal chairman of the Austrian Union of Young Industrialists, and he has been the the Austrian People's Party's spokesman on industry since 1991. Who is also a deputy regional party chairman of the Styrian People's Party, has been a member of the National Assembly for the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) since 5 December 1991. On November 29th 1994 was sworn in as State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Public Trans-portation in Franz Vranitzky's fourth govern-ment ("Vranitzky IV"). On May 4th1995 took his oath of office as Federal Minister for Environmental Affairs in Vranitzky fourth government. He retained his post in Chancellor Vranitzky's fifth Cabinet. In Viktor Klima's government ("Klima I") Dr. Bartenstein was Federal Minister for Environmental Affairs, Youth and the Family from 28th January 1997 to February 4th 2000. Dr. Martin Bartenstein took office as Federal Minister for Economic Affairs on February 4th 2000 in Chancellor Schüssel's government ("Schüssel I").

Karl-Heinz Grasser - Federal Minister of Finance

Born : on January 2, 1969 in Klagenfurt

Education/profession After having passed the secondary school leaving examination with distinction, the enthusiastic tennis and squash player took up his studies of applied business administration at Klagenfurt University, specializing in taxes, finance and marketing. He completed his studies within the shortest possible time, graduating in March 1992. In 1999, he was also entrusted with the management of the Magna Group's affiliates Sport Management International (SMI) and Sportwetten GmbH.

Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria)

Political career Joined the parliamentary group of the Freedomites in 1992. 1993, appointed Secretary-General of the Austrian Freedom Party and Managing Director of the Political Academy of the Austrian Freedom Party. 1998, appointed Vice-President for Human Resources and Public Relations of Magna Europe. On February 4, 2000 was appointed Minister of Finance, and is the youngest Minister of Finance in the history of the Republic of Austria.

Dr.Ernst Strasser - Federal Minister of the Interior

Born : on April 29th 1956 in Grieskirchen (Upper Austria).

Education/profession After finishing grammar school, he studied law in Salzburg where he graduated as Doctor of Law in 1981. Having completed his studies, was appointed secretary of the executive office of the Austrian Farmers' Federation, an organization affiliated with the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). From 1983 to 1985 he was legal adviser to the Upper Austrian Federation of Full and Part-time Farmers in Linz and later became the organization's executive secretary. From 1990 to 1992 worked in the private industry.

Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party)

Political career In 1987 was called to Vienna to take the post of private secretary to the Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry. In 1989 he was appointed deputy head of the Vice-Chancellor's Office and chief of staff of the office of the party's national leader. From 1992 to 1998 he held the position of managing director of the Lower Austrian People's Party. Since 1993 has been a member of the Lower Austrian Parliament and is Lower Austria's representative in the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation's Governing Board. Since 1998 he has been chairman of his party's group in the Lower Austrian Parliament. On February 4th 2000 was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as Federal Minister of the Interior.

Dr.Dieter Böhmdorfer - Federal Minister for Justice

Born : in Trutnov, Czech Republic, on 11 May 1943.

Education/profession Since 1945, he has been living in Austria where he went to primary and grammer school. After taking the final examination in 1961 and completing military service, he studied law at the University of Vienna. After graduating in 1967, worked in the law firms of Dr.Harald Eggstain, Dr.Harald Ofner and Dr.Karl Leutgeb as a pupil barrister. After passing the bar examination, he was admitted to the bar association in 1973. Between 1987 and 1989, was a member of the supervisory board of the Austrian Airlines Luftverkehrs AG, from 1991 to 1998 he served on the supervisory board of the Vienna Airport Corp. Since 1991, he has been with the ERP Loan Commission. Since June 1999, has been a member of the general managing board of the Carinthian Landesholding.

Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria)

Political career On 29 February 2000, was sworn in by Federal President Dr.Thomas Klestil as Federal Minister of Justice.

Herbert Scheibner - Federal Minister for National Defence

Born : on April 23rd 1963 in Vienna.

Education/profession After finishing a science-oriented grammar school, he studied law and business administration at Vienna University and Vienna Economics University from 1982. In 1993 he did his national service in the armed forces and has been a member of the militia in a Vienna infantry battalion since 1996. Since 1999 he has been an NCO holding the rank of sergeant. From 1987 to 1988 worked as a free-lance insurance broker.

Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria)

Political career In 1988 he was put in charge of political education programmes in the Austrian Freedom Party's (FPÖ's) General Secretariat and was also appointed office manager of the Secretariat. Since 1994 he has been chief executive of the Freedom Party's Academy. From 1987 to 1990 worked as a district councillor for the FPÖ in the Vienna districts of Rudolfsheim and Fünfhaus. From 1989 to 1993 he was national chairman of the FPÖ's youth movement. In 1990 was elected to the FPÖ's national executive and also became a member of the Austrian National Assembly. From 1992 to 1995 he was the FPÖ's Secretary-General. Since 1993 he has been his party's spokesman on defence and chairman of the National Assembly's Defence Committee. In 1994 he became a delegate to the North Atlantic Assembly and in 1995 a member of the Austrian delegation to the Council of Europe. In 1996 was delegated to the WEU's Assembly. In April 1999 the FPÖ's parliamentary group elected him their chairman. On Februar 4th 2000 was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as Federal Minister of Defence.

Wilhelm Molterer - Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management

Born : into a farming family on14 May 1955 in Steyr, Upper Austria

Education/profession After completing his primary and lower secondary education, he was adopted by Josef und Cäcilia Molterer. He attended the Agricultural College in St. Florian from 1969 to 1974, and it was there that he took his matriculation examination. He went on to study sociology and economics at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, where he took his Master's degree in 1980. During his university years was chairman of the Austrian Union of Students at the University of Linz. He was employed as a tutor and assistant in the Department of Agricultural Policy at the University of Linz from 1979 until 1981. From 1981 to 1984 worked as an adviser on economic policy for the Austrian Farmers' Federation, an organization affiliated with the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). From 4 December 1989 to 30 November 1993 was Chief Executive Officer of the Austrian Farmers' Federation.

Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party)

Political career From 1985 to 1987 he was employed by the State Government of Upper Austria, where he worked in the office of Provincial Councillor Leopold Hofinger. At the same time he was municipal councillor in the Upper Austrian community of Sierning. On January 21st 1987 he took on the post of private secretary to Josef Riegler, who was Minister of Agriculture at the time, and later became chief of staff in the office of Minister of Agriculture Franz Fischler on April 24th 1989. Became a member of the National Assembly for the ÖVP in October 1990, and he took on the post of ÖVP General Secretary on December 1st 1993. On November 29th 1994 was sworn in as Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry in Chancellor Vranitzky's fourth Cabinet. He retained his post in Mr. Vranitzky's fifth Cabinet. From January 28th 1997 to February 4th 2000 was Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry in Chancellor Klima's government. On February 4th 2000 Mr. Molterer took office as Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry in Wolfgang Schüssel's government ("Schüssel I").

Herbert Haupt - Federal Minister for Social Security and Generations

Born : on 28 September 1947 in Seeboden (Carinthia).

Education/profession After finishing his secondary education in Spittal an der Drau, he did his national service in the federal armed forces. In 1966 he began to study veterinary medicine in Vienna. In 1975 he graduated as Master of Veterinary Medicine. As a student, joined the Ring Freiheitlicher Studenten (RFS), a student union with affiliations to the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ). Since 1975 has been in private practice as a veterinarian in Spittal an der Drau. From 1988 to 1994 he was veterinary director of the municipal slaughterhouse in Spittal an der Drau.

Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria)

Political career From 1978 to 1999 was district chairman of the FPÖ in Spittal an der Drau. With some interruptions, he was a member of the Spittal local council from 1981. In 1997 he became Second Deputy Mayor. From 1995 to 1997 was also executive regional chairman of the FPÖ for Carinthia. Currently is a member of all the leading bodies of the Carinthian Freedom Party as well as a member of the managing board of the national FPÖ. In 2000 he joined the FPÖ's national party executive. Herbert Haupt was first elected to the Austrian National Assembly in 1986. From November 1994 to January 1996 he was one of the two deputy speakers of the National Assembly. On 24 October 2000 Herbert Haupt was sworn in as Federal Minister for Social Security and Generations by Federal President Thomas Klestil.

Elisabeth Gehrer - Federal Minister for Education, Science and Culture

Born : on May 11th 1942 in Vienna.

Education/profession After her elementary education, she attended agrammar school and a teacher training college in Inns-bruck, Tyrol. She worked as a teacher in Hart im Zillertal, Tyrol, from 1961 to 1964, and then for two years in the elemen-tary schools of Lochau and Bregenz-Augasse, Vorarlberg. In 1980 became city councillor for music in schools and regional cooperation in the state capital of Vorarlberg, Bregenz.

Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party)

Political career In 1981 she took over the chair of the Bodensee (Lake of Constance) regional planning council. In 1983 she was elected local chairwoman of the women's movement of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) in Bregenz. In 1984 was elected to the Vorarlberg State Parliament for the People's Party; this was followed in 1989 by her election as Vice-President of the Vorarlberg Parliament. In 1989 she was made leader of the ÖVP's city representatives' group in Bregenz. In 1990 the State Parliament elected her to become a member of the Vorarlberg government with special responsibility for schools, continuing education, science, women, youth, the family, local development and development aid. In January 1994 she became head of the women's movement in the People's Party in Vorarlberg and Executive President of the Vorarlberg School Board. Ms. Gehrer was sworn in on May 4th 1995 as Federal Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs in Franz Vranitzky's fourth government. She retained her post in Chancellor Vranitzky's fifth Cabinet. From January 28th 1997 to 4 February 2000 Ms. Gehrer was again Federal Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs in Chancellor Klima's government ("Klima I"). In Wolfgang Schüssel's government ("Schüssel I") Elisabeth Gehrer took office on February 4th 2000 as Federal Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs.

Dr.Monika Forstinger - Federal Minister of Infrastructure, Future, and Innovation

Born : 15 July 1963, in Schwanenstadt, Upper Austria.

Education/profession After attending primary and secondary school in Laakirchen and a practical professional training college in Bad Ischl, she studied landscape planning at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Vienna from 1982 to 1988. She took a doctorate in 1997. From 1988 to 1990 she worked as an assistant at the Institute for Water Management in Vienna and from 1990 to 1991 she was employed by the Upper Austrian state government as an official of the Gmunden district agricultural authority. In September 1991 joined an industrial company, SCA Laakirchen AG, where she worked in the environmental and PR departments and as one of the company's executives. In 1993 she became a member of the board of directors of the anti-pollution unit of the Laakirchen area and chief executive of a company for waste disposal and energy utilisation.

Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria)

Political career On 31 October 1997 Ms. Forstinger took a seat in the Upper Austrian regional parliament where she was active in the standing committees for economics, environment, EU and legal reform. On 14 November 2000, Ms. Forstinger was sworn in by Federal President Thomas Klestil as Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology.

State Secretary

Franz Morak - State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery

Born : on May 25th 1946 in Graz

Education/profession In 1964 he began his studies to become an actor and director at what is today the University of Music and the Performing Arts in Graz. As of 1967 he attended the seminar of Max Reinhardt in Vienna. After playing in Düsseldorf, he became a member of the Vienna Volkstheater in 1968. His performance in Peter Turrini's "Rozznjogd" (Rat Hunt) and Wolfgang Bauer's "Massaker im Hotel Sacher" (Massacre at the Hotel Sacher) earned him a first success. In 1974 he was invited to play at the Burgtheater where he made his debut in Edward Bond's "The Sea". In 1991 he was awarded the Kainz Medal for his outstanding performance, playing the part of Kasimir Dachl in Johann Nestroy's "Heimliches Geld, heimliche Liebe" (Secret Money, Secret Love). In 1980 he became a rock singer, appearing together with Peter Wolf and Christian Kolonovits. In 1982 he gave his first rock concert on the stage of the Burgtheater and has so far produced five LPs/CDs with his own songs. Since 1990 Franz Morak has also been active as a director. He made his debut with Felix Mitterer's "Sibirien" (Siberia) at the Akademietheater and was also responsible for the film version. He directed Carol Oates' "The Eclipse" in 1992, "Mixed Feelings" at the Theater in der Josefstadt in 1994 and Jeff Baron's "Visiting Mr. Green" at the Theater im Rabenhof in 1999.

Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party)

Political career From 1986 to 1992 Franz Morak was the speaker of the ensemble of the Vienna Burgtheater. Since October 1994 he has been a member of the National Assembly and cultural spokesman for the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) as well as a member of the Governing Board of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF). On February 4th 2000 Franz Morak was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery.

Mares Rossmann - State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Labour

Born : on December 29th 1953 in Villach, Carinthia.

Education/profession After attending the college for tourism in Klesheim, she studied business management at the Karl Franzens University in Graz.

Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria)

Political career From 1993 to 1994 represented the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) in the Graz municipal council. At the same time she became a member of the governing board of the Graz Tourism Association. From October 1994 to January 1998 she represented the FPÖ in the National Assembly. From January 1998 to February 2000 held the position of city councillor of the state capital of Styria, Graz, with special responsibility for the economy, tourism, market and food control, canal construction and veterinary medicine. On February 4th 2000 was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs.

Dr.Alfred Finz - State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Finance

Born : on October 7th 1943 in Vienna.

Education/profession After finishing grammar school in 1962, he did his national service in the federal armed forces. In July 1963 he joined the Federal Chancellery. In April 1966 he switched to the Court of Audit. From 1971 to 1975 he studied law at the University of Vienna where he graduated as Doctor of Law in 1975. In 1980 Dr. Finz was promoted deputy chief of division at the Court of Audit, and in 1987 he became head of one of the Court's audit divisions. From 1991 to 1995 he worked as deputy head of an audit department within the Court and on March 1st 1995 he was appointed head of the Court's central department. From March 1995 to February 2000 also worked in the General Secretariat of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions.

Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria)

Political career On February 4th 2000 was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Dr.Reinhart Waneck - State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Social Security and Generations

Born : on October 16th 1945 in Vienna.

Education/profession After finishing grammar school, he studied medicine at Vienna University where he graduated as Doctor of Medicine in 1971. After completing his internship and specialist training in Vienna and Upper Austria, he studied at universities in Germany, Sweden and the United States in the Seventies. In 1985 qualified as a university lecturer for radiology and was appointed associate professor in 1994. Being nominated by the Vienna Medical Club, Dr. Waneck represented the Vienna Medical Council on the Austrian Medical Committee, a non-party organisation. He is also spokesman of the Vienna Medical Council for senior doctors of hospitals run by religious orders. Since May 1985 he has been head of the department of radiology in the hospital of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. He was the hospital's medical director from 1995 to 1999.

Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria)

Political career On February 4th 2000 Univ.Prof. Dr. Reinhart Waneck was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Labour, Health and Social Affairs.

	Wolfgang Schüssel - Federal Chancellor Born : in Vienna on June 7th 1945 Education/profession : Following his elementary schooling, he attended a well-known classical grammar school in Vienna (the "Schottengymnasium") where he took his secondary school leaving certificate in 1963. He went on to study at Vienna University and received a Doctorate in Law in 1968. Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party) Political career : Secretary of the parliamentary group of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) from 1968 to 1975. From 1975 to April, 1991 he was Secretary General of the Austrian Business Federation, a sub-organisation of the People's Party. On April 24th 1989 became Minister for Economic Affairs in the coalition government formed by the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and the People's Party under Chancellor Franz Vranitzky. At the 30th Party Congress of the ÖVP, was elected national leader of the Party on April 22nd 1995. On May 4th 1995 was sworn in as Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs in Franz Vranitzky fourth government. He held the same posts in Chancellor Vranitzky's fifth Cabinet. In Chancellor Klima's first government, from January 28th 1997 to February 4th 2000, she was again Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs. On February 4th 2000 was sworn in as Federal Chancellor.
	Dr.Susanne Riess-Passer - Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Public Services and Sports Born : 03 January 1961in Braunau am Inn, Upper Austria Education/profession Elementary school Mattighofen 1967-1971, newlinguistic High School Salzburg 1971-1979, study of the jurisprudence at the University of Innsbruck (Dr. iur.) 1979-1984. From 1983 to 1984 she did her practical training at the Innsbruck Regional Court and afterwards worked at a law firm until 1985. From 1985 to 1986 she was in charge of press reports at major sports events. Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria) Political career : From 1987 to 1993 she held the position of national press officer for the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ). Since 1993 she has worked as an adviser on international affairs for the FPÖ and has managed the affairs of the Office of the party's national leader since 1996. From 1991 to 1998 represented the FPÖ in the Federal Assembly, being elected chairwoman of her party's parliamentary group in 1993. Since 1994 has been deputy national leader of the Party. From 1995 to 1996 she was a member of the European Parliament. She has been the FPÖ's executive national leader since 1996. From March to October 1999 she was a member of the Tyrol State Parliament, and from October 1999 to February 10th 2000 had a seat in the National Assembly. On February 4th 2000 was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as Vice-Chancellor.
	Dr.Benita-Maria Ferrero-Waldner - Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Born : on 5 September, 1948, in Salzburg Education/profession : Secondary school leaving certificate at a grammar school in 1966. She went on to study at the University of Salzburg and received a Doctorate in Law in 1970. Worked in business as an export manager from 1971 to 1978 in Germany. From 1978 to 1981 she was sales manager for Europe for a New York Company before moving back to the German company where she became assistant to the managing director. Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria) Political career After a short period at the Austrian Embassy in Madrid, she passed the entrance examination of the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Vienna in June, 1984, and entered the diplomatic service. From September, 1984, to January, 1986, she worked in several departments of the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She pursued her career as a First Secretary at the Austrian Embassy in Dakar, in the Development Aid Department of the Foreign Ministry and as Councillor for Economic Affairs at the Austrian Embassy in Paris where she was also deputy Head of Mission and Chargé d'affaires ad interim. From February, 1993, to December, 1993, holding the rank of Minister plenipotentiary, was Deputy Chief of Protocol of the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs. On 1 January 1994, she became Chief of Protocol of the United Nations in the Executive Office of the UN Secretary General in New York. Was sworn in on 4 May 1995, as Minister of State in the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Chancellor Vranitzky's fourth Government. She remained in the Cabinet in Mr. Vranitzky's fifth Government. She retained her post of Minister of State in the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Chancellor Klima's first Government, which took office on 28 January 1997. On 4 February 2000, Dr. Ferrero-Waldner was sworn in as Minister for Foreign Affairs in Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel's first Government.
	Dr.Martin Bartenstein - Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Labour Born : on June 3rd 1953 in Graz, Styria. Education/profession He took his secondary school leaving certificate in 1971 at a well-known classical grammar school (Akademisches Gymnasium) in Graz. After a summer term at Miami University (Ohio, USA), he studied chemistry at Graz University and received his Doctorate in 1978. In 1980 was named sole managing director of the Bartenstein family company, Lannacher Heilmittel GmbH, a pharmaceutical firm. In 1986 he became chief executive of Genericon Pharma GesmbH and in 1990 he joined the board of directors of the Pharmavit AG, Budapest. Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party) Political career In 1988 was made federal chairman of the Austrian Union of Young Industrialists, and he has been the the Austrian People's Party's spokesman on industry since 1991. Who is also a deputy regional party chairman of the Styrian People's Party, has been a member of the National Assembly for the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) since 5 December 1991. On November 29th 1994 was sworn in as State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Public Trans-portation in Franz Vranitzky's fourth govern-ment ("Vranitzky IV"). On May 4th1995 took his oath of office as Federal Minister for Environmental Affairs in Vranitzky fourth government. He retained his post in Chancellor Vranitzky's fifth Cabinet. In Viktor Klima's government ("Klima I") Dr. Bartenstein was Federal Minister for Environmental Affairs, Youth and the Family from 28th January 1997 to February 4th 2000. Dr. Martin Bartenstein took office as Federal Minister for Economic Affairs on February 4th 2000 in Chancellor Schüssel's government ("Schüssel I").
	Karl-Heinz Grasser - Federal Minister of Finance Born : on January 2, 1969 in Klagenfurt Education/profession After having passed the secondary school leaving examination with distinction, the enthusiastic tennis and squash player took up his studies of applied business administration at Klagenfurt University, specializing in taxes, finance and marketing. He completed his studies within the shortest possible time, graduating in March 1992. In 1999, he was also entrusted with the management of the Magna Group's affiliates Sport Management International (SMI) and Sportwetten GmbH. Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria) Political career Joined the parliamentary group of the Freedomites in 1992. 1993, appointed Secretary-General of the Austrian Freedom Party and Managing Director of the Political Academy of the Austrian Freedom Party. 1998, appointed Vice-President for Human Resources and Public Relations of Magna Europe. On February 4, 2000 was appointed Minister of Finance, and is the youngest Minister of Finance in the history of the Republic of Austria.
	Dr.Ernst Strasser - Federal Minister of the Interior Born : on April 29th 1956 in Grieskirchen (Upper Austria). Education/profession After finishing grammar school, he studied law in Salzburg where he graduated as Doctor of Law in 1981. Having completed his studies, was appointed secretary of the executive office of the Austrian Farmers' Federation, an organization affiliated with the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). From 1983 to 1985 he was legal adviser to the Upper Austrian Federation of Full and Part-time Farmers in Linz and later became the organization's executive secretary. From 1990 to 1992 worked in the private industry. Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party) Political career In 1987 was called to Vienna to take the post of private secretary to the Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry. In 1989 he was appointed deputy head of the Vice-Chancellor's Office and chief of staff of the office of the party's national leader. From 1992 to 1998 he held the position of managing director of the Lower Austrian People's Party. Since 1993 has been a member of the Lower Austrian Parliament and is Lower Austria's representative in the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation's Governing Board. Since 1998 he has been chairman of his party's group in the Lower Austrian Parliament. On February 4th 2000 was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as Federal Minister of the Interior.
	Dr.Dieter Böhmdorfer - Federal Minister for Justice Born : in Trutnov, Czech Republic, on 11 May 1943. Education/profession Since 1945, he has been living in Austria where he went to primary and grammer school. After taking the final examination in 1961 and completing military service, he studied law at the University of Vienna. After graduating in 1967, worked in the law firms of Dr.Harald Eggstain, Dr.Harald Ofner and Dr.Karl Leutgeb as a pupil barrister. After passing the bar examination, he was admitted to the bar association in 1973. Between 1987 and 1989, was a member of the supervisory board of the Austrian Airlines Luftverkehrs AG, from 1991 to 1998 he served on the supervisory board of the Vienna Airport Corp. Since 1991, he has been with the ERP Loan Commission. Since June 1999, has been a member of the general managing board of the Carinthian Landesholding. Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria) Political career On 29 February 2000, was sworn in by Federal President Dr.Thomas Klestil as Federal Minister of Justice.
	Herbert Scheibner - Federal Minister for National Defence Born : on April 23rd 1963 in Vienna. Education/profession After finishing a science-oriented grammar school, he studied law and business administration at Vienna University and Vienna Economics University from 1982. In 1993 he did his national service in the armed forces and has been a member of the militia in a Vienna infantry battalion since 1996. Since 1999 he has been an NCO holding the rank of sergeant. From 1987 to 1988 worked as a free-lance insurance broker. Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria) Political career In 1988 he was put in charge of political education programmes in the Austrian Freedom Party's (FPÖ's) General Secretariat and was also appointed office manager of the Secretariat. Since 1994 he has been chief executive of the Freedom Party's Academy. From 1987 to 1990 worked as a district councillor for the FPÖ in the Vienna districts of Rudolfsheim and Fünfhaus. From 1989 to 1993 he was national chairman of the FPÖ's youth movement. In 1990 was elected to the FPÖ's national executive and also became a member of the Austrian National Assembly. From 1992 to 1995 he was the FPÖ's Secretary-General. Since 1993 he has been his party's spokesman on defence and chairman of the National Assembly's Defence Committee. In 1994 he became a delegate to the North Atlantic Assembly and in 1995 a member of the Austrian delegation to the Council of Europe. In 1996 was delegated to the WEU's Assembly. In April 1999 the FPÖ's parliamentary group elected him their chairman. On Februar 4th 2000 was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as Federal Minister of Defence.
	Wilhelm Molterer - Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management Born : into a farming family on14 May 1955 in Steyr, Upper Austria Education/profession After completing his primary and lower secondary education, he was adopted by Josef und Cäcilia Molterer. He attended the Agricultural College in St. Florian from 1969 to 1974, and it was there that he took his matriculation examination. He went on to study sociology and economics at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, where he took his Master's degree in 1980. During his university years was chairman of the Austrian Union of Students at the University of Linz. He was employed as a tutor and assistant in the Department of Agricultural Policy at the University of Linz from 1979 until 1981. From 1981 to 1984 worked as an adviser on economic policy for the Austrian Farmers' Federation, an organization affiliated with the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). From 4 December 1989 to 30 November 1993 was Chief Executive Officer of the Austrian Farmers' Federation. Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party) Political career From 1985 to 1987 he was employed by the State Government of Upper Austria, where he worked in the office of Provincial Councillor Leopold Hofinger. At the same time he was municipal councillor in the Upper Austrian community of Sierning. On January 21st 1987 he took on the post of private secretary to Josef Riegler, who was Minister of Agriculture at the time, and later became chief of staff in the office of Minister of Agriculture Franz Fischler on April 24th 1989. Became a member of the National Assembly for the ÖVP in October 1990, and he took on the post of ÖVP General Secretary on December 1st 1993. On November 29th 1994 was sworn in as Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry in Chancellor Vranitzky's fourth Cabinet. He retained his post in Mr. Vranitzky's fifth Cabinet. From January 28th 1997 to February 4th 2000 was Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry in Chancellor Klima's government. On February 4th 2000 Mr. Molterer took office as Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry in Wolfgang Schüssel's government ("Schüssel I").
	Herbert Haupt - Federal Minister for Social Security and Generations Born : on 28 September 1947 in Seeboden (Carinthia). Education/profession After finishing his secondary education in Spittal an der Drau, he did his national service in the federal armed forces. In 1966 he began to study veterinary medicine in Vienna. In 1975 he graduated as Master of Veterinary Medicine. As a student, joined the Ring Freiheitlicher Studenten (RFS), a student union with affiliations to the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ). Since 1975 has been in private practice as a veterinarian in Spittal an der Drau. From 1988 to 1994 he was veterinary director of the municipal slaughterhouse in Spittal an der Drau. Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria) Political career From 1978 to 1999 was district chairman of the FPÖ in Spittal an der Drau. With some interruptions, he was a member of the Spittal local council from 1981. In 1997 he became Second Deputy Mayor. From 1995 to 1997 was also executive regional chairman of the FPÖ for Carinthia. Currently is a member of all the leading bodies of the Carinthian Freedom Party as well as a member of the managing board of the national FPÖ. In 2000 he joined the FPÖ's national party executive. Herbert Haupt was first elected to the Austrian National Assembly in 1986. From November 1994 to January 1996 he was one of the two deputy speakers of the National Assembly. On 24 October 2000 Herbert Haupt was sworn in as Federal Minister for Social Security and Generations by Federal President Thomas Klestil.
	Elisabeth Gehrer - Federal Minister for Education, Science and Culture Born : on May 11th 1942 in Vienna. Education/profession After her elementary education, she attended agrammar school and a teacher training college in Inns-bruck, Tyrol. She worked as a teacher in Hart im Zillertal, Tyrol, from 1961 to 1964, and then for two years in the elemen-tary schools of Lochau and Bregenz-Augasse, Vorarlberg. In 1980 became city councillor for music in schools and regional cooperation in the state capital of Vorarlberg, Bregenz. Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party) Political career In 1981 she took over the chair of the Bodensee (Lake of Constance) regional planning council. In 1983 she was elected local chairwoman of the women's movement of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) in Bregenz. In 1984 was elected to the Vorarlberg State Parliament for the People's Party; this was followed in 1989 by her election as Vice-President of the Vorarlberg Parliament. In 1989 she was made leader of the ÖVP's city representatives' group in Bregenz. In 1990 the State Parliament elected her to become a member of the Vorarlberg government with special responsibility for schools, continuing education, science, women, youth, the family, local development and development aid. In January 1994 she became head of the women's movement in the People's Party in Vorarlberg and Executive President of the Vorarlberg School Board. Ms. Gehrer was sworn in on May 4th 1995 as Federal Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs in Franz Vranitzky's fourth government. She retained her post in Chancellor Vranitzky's fifth Cabinet. From January 28th 1997 to 4 February 2000 Ms. Gehrer was again Federal Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs in Chancellor Klima's government ("Klima I"). In Wolfgang Schüssel's government ("Schüssel I") Elisabeth Gehrer took office on February 4th 2000 as Federal Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs.
	Dr.Monika Forstinger - Federal Minister of Infrastructure, Future, and Innovation Born : 15 July 1963, in Schwanenstadt, Upper Austria. Education/profession After attending primary and secondary school in Laakirchen and a practical professional training college in Bad Ischl, she studied landscape planning at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Vienna from 1982 to 1988. She took a doctorate in 1997. From 1988 to 1990 she worked as an assistant at the Institute for Water Management in Vienna and from 1990 to 1991 she was employed by the Upper Austrian state government as an official of the Gmunden district agricultural authority. In September 1991 joined an industrial company, SCA Laakirchen AG, where she worked in the environmental and PR departments and as one of the company's executives. In 1993 she became a member of the board of directors of the anti-pollution unit of the Laakirchen area and chief executive of a company for waste disposal and energy utilisation. Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria) Political career On 31 October 1997 Ms. Forstinger took a seat in the Upper Austrian regional parliament where she was active in the standing committees for economics, environment, EU and legal reform. On 14 November 2000, Ms. Forstinger was sworn in by Federal President Thomas Klestil as Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology.

	Franz Morak - State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery Born : on May 25th 1946 in Graz Education/profession In 1964 he began his studies to become an actor and director at what is today the University of Music and the Performing Arts in Graz. As of 1967 he attended the seminar of Max Reinhardt in Vienna. After playing in Düsseldorf, he became a member of the Vienna Volkstheater in 1968. His performance in Peter Turrini's "Rozznjogd" (Rat Hunt) and Wolfgang Bauer's "Massaker im Hotel Sacher" (Massacre at the Hotel Sacher) earned him a first success. In 1974 he was invited to play at the Burgtheater where he made his debut in Edward Bond's "The Sea". In 1991 he was awarded the Kainz Medal for his outstanding performance, playing the part of Kasimir Dachl in Johann Nestroy's "Heimliches Geld, heimliche Liebe" (Secret Money, Secret Love). In 1980 he became a rock singer, appearing together with Peter Wolf and Christian Kolonovits. In 1982 he gave his first rock concert on the stage of the Burgtheater and has so far produced five LPs/CDs with his own songs. Since 1990 Franz Morak has also been active as a director. He made his debut with Felix Mitterer's "Sibirien" (Siberia) at the Akademietheater and was also responsible for the film version. He directed Carol Oates' "The Eclipse" in 1992, "Mixed Feelings" at the Theater in der Josefstadt in 1994 and Jeff Baron's "Visiting Mr. Green" at the Theater im Rabenhof in 1999. Party : ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei / Austrian People's Party) Political career From 1986 to 1992 Franz Morak was the speaker of the ensemble of the Vienna Burgtheater. Since October 1994 he has been a member of the National Assembly and cultural spokesman for the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) as well as a member of the Governing Board of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF). On February 4th 2000 Franz Morak was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery.
	Mares Rossmann - State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Labour Born : on December 29th 1953 in Villach, Carinthia. Education/profession After attending the college for tourism in Klesheim, she studied business management at the Karl Franzens University in Graz. Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria) Political career From 1993 to 1994 represented the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) in the Graz municipal council. At the same time she became a member of the governing board of the Graz Tourism Association. From October 1994 to January 1998 she represented the FPÖ in the National Assembly. From January 1998 to February 2000 held the position of city councillor of the state capital of Styria, Graz, with special responsibility for the economy, tourism, market and food control, canal construction and veterinary medicine. On February 4th 2000 was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs.
	Dr.Alfred Finz - State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Finance Born : on October 7th 1943 in Vienna. Education/profession After finishing grammar school in 1962, he did his national service in the federal armed forces. In July 1963 he joined the Federal Chancellery. In April 1966 he switched to the Court of Audit. From 1971 to 1975 he studied law at the University of Vienna where he graduated as Doctor of Law in 1975. In 1980 Dr. Finz was promoted deputy chief of division at the Court of Audit, and in 1987 he became head of one of the Court's audit divisions. From 1991 to 1995 he worked as deputy head of an audit department within the Court and on March 1st 1995 he was appointed head of the Court's central department. From March 1995 to February 2000 also worked in the General Secretariat of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions. Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria) Political career On February 4th 2000 was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance.
	Dr.Reinhart Waneck - State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Social Security and Generations Born : on October 16th 1945 in Vienna. Education/profession After finishing grammar school, he studied medicine at Vienna University where he graduated as Doctor of Medicine in 1971. After completing his internship and specialist training in Vienna and Upper Austria, he studied at universities in Germany, Sweden and the United States in the Seventies. In 1985 qualified as a university lecturer for radiology and was appointed associate professor in 1994. Being nominated by the Vienna Medical Club, Dr. Waneck represented the Vienna Medical Council on the Austrian Medical Committee, a non-party organisation. He is also spokesman of the Vienna Medical Council for senior doctors of hospitals run by religious orders. Since May 1985 he has been head of the department of radiology in the hospital of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. He was the hospital's medical director from 1995 to 1999. Party : FPÖ (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs / Freedom Party of Austria) Political career On February 4th 2000 Univ.Prof. Dr. Reinhart Waneck was sworn in by Federal President Dr. Thomas Klestil as State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Labour, Health and Social Affairs.