Political colossus turned 86

SPÖ veteran Hannes Androsch has died

A figure who will be missed in the domestic political debate: Hannes Androsch passed away at the age of 87.

(Bild: Bartel Gerhard)

One of the most influential politicians of the post-war period is dead. The industrialist Hannes Androsch died unexpectedly at his home in Bad Aussee at the age of 86, according to information published in the "Krone" newspaper. 

"Our thoughts are with his grieving relatives," his foundation said on Wednesday. The political colossus had recently been suffering from pneumonia. As a leading politician of the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), he shaped the country's economic policy profile for many years. Androsch joined the SPÖ at an early age and quickly rose to leading positions.

He was a member of the National Council from 1967 to 1981 and was appointed Finance Minister by Federal Chancellor Bruno Kreisky in 1970, a position he held until 1981. During his time in office, Androsch pursued an expansive economic policy and played a key role in the modernization of Austria's infrastructure and the promotion of science and research.

Architect of social equality
His focus on an active state economic policy aimed at full employment, social equality and the promotion of innovation was particularly striking. He was regarded as the architect of numerous reforms in education and healthcare that changed Austria for good.

Hannes Androsch 1938-2024

(Bild: Bartel Gerhard)

Conflicts and withdrawal from politics
Despite his successes, Androsch's career was not free of controversy. Androsch was considered the "heir apparent" to SPÖ Chancellor Bruno Kreisky before he fell out of favor and began a second career as an industrialist. The reason for the break was his increasingly independent course, which led to tensions with Kreisky, who finally urged Androsch to resign in 1981. A subsequent tax audit and legal proceedings also tarnished his reputation, although he was acquitted of the main charges.

After retiring from active politics, Androsch moved into the private sector. As an entrepreneur and consultant, he continued to be a formative voice in public discourse and championed issues such as education and innovation.

Political work closely linked to Kreisky
Androsch's political work remains closely linked to the Kreisky era, during which Austria's welfare state was expanded and the foundations for today's prosperity were laid. His work in the field of economic policy and his visions for a modern Austria continue to have an impact to this day.

Van der Bellen "deeply affected"
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen paid tribute to the work of the SPÖ veteran to the very end: "In recent years, he was a tireless campaigner for reforms in school and education policy. Hannes Androsch was present until his last breath. He was a personality who will be missed. I am deeply saddened by his sudden death."

Nehammer: "Shaped politics for decades"
Domestic politicians reacted with shock. "Hannes Androsch not only shaped politics, but also the economy of our country for decades. He was a dazzling personality in every respect. As a long-standing - and at the time very young - finance minister as well as a captain of industry," Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) told the "Krone" newspaper. 

SPÖ leader Andreas Babler expressed similar sentiments: "Hannes Androsch played a key role in shaping the social reform and economic policy program of the Social Democrats in the 1970s and contributed to making Austria a modern industrial state. We thank him for this."

Häupl will miss "brilliant thinker"
For many years, Vienna's former mayor Michael Häupl was also a political companion: "Austria has lost an unconventional, sometimes contradictory, but brilliant thinker." Androsch achieved "great things" for science, especially in the second half of his life.

"We didn't always agree in the past, but we got closer and became friends." The two of them recently went out to eat at an Italian restaurant in Vienna.