Kurz, Sebastian

Kurz, Sebastian,

1986–, Austrian politician, federal chancellor of Austria (2017–), b. Vienna. A member of the conservative People's party, he was active in the party's youth wing and became its leader (2009), served on Vienna's city council (2010–11), worked in the interior ministry as state secretary for integration (2011–13), was elected to parliament (2013), and served as foreign minister (2013–17). In 2017 he became the leader of the People's party. Taking a hard line on immigration in 2017 elections, he led to party to a parliamentary plurality, and became chanceller of a coalition government with the far-right Freedom party.