| Michael Hainisch | |
|---|---|
| Michael Hainisch, July 1928, Vienna | |
| 2nd President of Austria | |
| In office December 9, 1920 – December 10, 1928 |
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| Preceded by | Karl Seitz (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Wilhelm Miklas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 August 1858 Aue bei Schottwien, Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) |
| Died | 26 February 1940 (aged 81) Vienna, Austria |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Political party | independent |
Michael Hainisch (August 15, 1858 - February 26, 1940) was an Austrian politician, and the second President of Austria, after the fall of the monarchy at the end of World War I. He did not belong to any party and was an independent candidate. He was elected and assumed office in 1920, and stayed for two periods until 1928. He was married to Emilia Figdor, the descendant of a prominent Viennese assimilated Jewish family. Emilia's father, Gustav, was a town councillor of the city of Vienna.
As a president, he worked hard to improve the dire situation Austria found itself after the war. He did a lot to develop the agricultural sector, encouraged the electrification of the railway, tried to develop more tourism especially in the Alps. Trade with neighbouring countries such as Germany was encouraged. He also became a protector of local traditions and culture, and initiated the creation of the law of protected monuments. He became also an honorary member of the Akademie der Wissenschaften (en: Academy of Sciences).
In 1928, main parties proposed to amend the constitution in order to reelect Hainisch for a third term. Federal Chancellor Ignaz Seipel proposed a one-year term for Hainisch. But Hainisch declined a third term and nothing is done. (see : http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,928608-1,00.html)
Controversially, he supported Pan-German ideas and later supported the Anschluss of Austria to Nazi-Germany in 1938, as did many of his fellow compatriots back then. He died in 1940, just a year after World War II started.
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