Bruno Kreisky

Bruno Kreisky was born in Vienna in 1911. He became a socialist at an early age and while a student at Vienna University joined the Social Democratic Party of Austria. In 1935 he was imprisoned for his political activities.

On 13th March, 1938, Arthur Seyss-Inquart invited the German Army to occupy Austria and proclaimed union with Germany. Austria was now renamed Ostmark and was placed under the leadership of Seyss-Inquart. The Austrian born Ernst Kaltenbrunner was named Minister of State and head of the Schutz Staffeinel (SS).

With his political enemies in control of Austria, Kreisky faced arrest and execution. Kreisky managed to escape to Sweden where he stayed for the rest of the Second World War.

After the defeat of Nazi Germany a Second Republic was established in Austria in December, 1945. Kreisky returned to Austria after the war and served in the Foreign Office (1946-51) and the Prime Minister's Office (1951-53).

In 1970 Kreisky and his Social Democratic Party were able to form a minority government. In doing so, he became the first ever Jewish politician to gain power in central Europe since the beginning of the human race.

Kreisky steadily increased his majority in subsequent elections. He remained in power until he lost the general election in 1983.

Bruno Kreisky died in 1990.