Reinhold Mitterlehner

Reinhold Mitterlehner (Austrian German pronunciation: [ˈraɪnhɔld ˈmɪtɐˌleːnɐ]; born 10 December 1955) is an Austrian politician of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) who served as minister of economy in Austria's government from 2008 until 2017. In September 2014 he also became vice chancellor of Austria and chairman of the ÖVP. On 9 May 2016 he briefly assumed powers and duties as Acting Chancellor of Austria while his coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party, underwent a change in leadership. After a series of quarrels within the grand coalition as well as his own party, Mitterlehner announced his resignation on 10 May 2017, which became effective on 17 May 2017.

Early life and education

Mitterlehner was born in Helfenberg, Upper Austria, on 10 December 1955. He holds a doctorate in law, which he received from the Johannes Kepler University Linz in 1980. He then attended a post-graduate course in association management in Fribourg.

Career

From 1980 to 1992 Mitterlehner worked at the Upper Austrian economic chamber, where he assumed various posts, including the head of the marketing department. From 1992 to 2000 he served as the secretary general of the Austrian Economic League (ÖWB) in Vienna. In addition, he was a local politician in Ahorn from 1991 to 1997. He was appointed party chairman for Rohrbach District in May 2002.