Rudolf Kirchschläger b. 20 Mar 1915, Grafenau, Upper Austria [1] d. 30 Mar 2000, Vienna Title: Bundespräsident (Federal President) Term: 8 Jul 1974 - 8 Jul 1980 Chronology: 23 Jun 1974, elected by direct popular voting [2, p. 10] 8 Jul 1974, took the oath of office, session of the eleventh Bundesversammlung (Federal Assembly), Großer Sitzungssaal des Parlaments, Parlamentsgebäude, Vienna [3] 8 Jul 1980, expiration of term Term: 8 Jul 1980 - 8 Jul 1986 Chronology: 18 May 1980, elected by direct popular voting [2, p. 11] 8 Jul 1980, took the oath of office, session of the twelfth Bundesversammlung (Federal Assembly), Großer Sitzungssaal des Parlaments, Parlamentsgebäude, Vienna [4] 8 Jul 1986, expiration of term Biography: Born in the family of a worker of paper-making factory in Obermühl; attended high school in Steyr; graduated with honors from the gymnasium in Horn (1935); studied law in the University of Vienna (1935-1938); following the Anschluß, conscripted into the Wermacht; being granted a short leave from the army, used this time to receive degree in law (1940); fought at the Russian front, was wounded; after the end of World War II, joined the Austrian People's Party (Österreichische Volkspartei, ÖVP); broke with ÖVP (1947) and never joined any party again; served as a judge in Langelois and Vienna (1947-1954); was employed as legal counselor with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1954); was a signatory of the Austrian State Treaty (1955); coauthor of the Austrian Neutrality Act (1955); headed the staff of ministers of foreign affairs Bruno Kreisky and Lujo Tončić-Sorinj (1963-1967); envoy to Czechoslovakia (1967-1970); appointed minister of foreign affairs (21 Apr 1970 - 23 Jun 1974); elected Bundespräsident (23 Jun 1974), defeating the mayor of Innsbruck Alois Lugger; reelected (18 May 1980); served two consecutive terms (8 Jul 1974 - 8 Jul 1980, 8 Jul 1980 - 8 Jul 1986). Biography source: [5] Elections: Candidate Popular vote (23 Jun 1974) Rudolf Kirchschläger 2,392,367 Alois Lugger 2,238,470 invalid votes 102,179 total number of votes cast 4,733,016 Candidate Popular vote (18 May 1980) Rudolf Kirchschläger 3,538,748 Willfried Gredler 751,400 Norbert Burger 140,741 invalid votes 348,165 total number of votes cast 4,779,054 Source for election results: [2, pp. 10-11] [1] The actual birth place of Rudolf Kirchschläger is Grafenau, which used to be located in the Gemeinde (district) of Niederkappel, Upper Austria. Until he reached the age of 60, Kirchschläger himself believed that he was born in the district of Obermühl. Starting from 2001, the memorial stone marks the place where stood the house (Grafenau, House Nr. 21) in which Kirchschläger was born. [2] "Bundespräsidentenwahl vom 25. April 2004" (Bundesministerium für Inneres, 2004) [3] Arbeiter Zeitung, Nummer 157, Dienstag, 9. Juli 1974. [4] Arbeiter Zeitung, Nummer 157, Mittwoch, 9. Juli 1980. [5] Österreich-Lexikon (web site). Last updated on: 25 Jun 2009 20:00:00
