Maria Fekter
Encyclopedia
Maria Theresia Fekter is an Austrian politician
(ÖVP
) and since 2011 the current Austrian Minister of Finance. Before that, she used to be Minister of the Interior
On 27 June 2008, it was announced by her party that she is to be appointed as the new Interior Minister in the Gusenbauer cabinet
, following Günther Platter
, who became the new Governor
of Tyrol
. During her career as Interior Minister, she became known as a hardliner, especially when it came to migration
and asylum
policys, earning her the unofficial title of an Austrian "Iron Lady".
Because her family made a fortune producing gravel she is often referred to as "Schottermitzi" (roughly translates to "Gravel Mary"; 'Mitzi' in Viennese dialect also hints at 'prostitute').
Politics of Austria
The Politics of Austria take place in a framework of a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic, with a Federal Chancellor as the head of government, and a Federal President as head of state. Executive power is exercised by the governments, both local and federal...
(ÖVP
Austrian People's Party
The Austrian People's Party is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Austria. A successor to the Christian Social Party of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it is similar to the Christian Democratic Union of Germany in terms of ideology...
) and since 2011 the current Austrian Minister of Finance. Before that, she used to be Minister of the Interior
On 27 June 2008, it was announced by her party that she is to be appointed as the new Interior Minister in the Gusenbauer cabinet
Gusenbauer cabinet
The government of Alfred Gusenbauer was sworn in on January 11, 2007 and left office on December 2, 2008....
, following Günther Platter
Günther Platter
Günther Platter is an Austrian politician and is the current Governor of Tyrol after his predecessor Herwig van Staa lost more almost 10% of the votes in the regional elections. Before becoming Governor, Platter served as Interior Minister and as Minister of Defence in the cabinets of Gusenbauer...
, who became the new Governor
Landeshauptmann
Landeshauptmann is a former German gubernatorial title equivalent to that of a governor of a province or a state....
of Tyrol
Tyrol (state)
Tyrol is a state or Bundesland, located in the west of Austria. It comprises the Austrian part of the historical region of Tyrol.The state is split into two parts–called North Tyrol and East Tyrol–by a -wide strip of land where the state of Salzburg borders directly on the Italian province of...
. During her career as Interior Minister, she became known as a hardliner, especially when it came to migration
Migration
Migration, Migratory behavior, or Migratory may refer* Gene migration, a process in evolution and population genetics* Animal migration, the travelling of long distances in search of a new habitat...
and asylum
Right of asylum
Right of asylum is an ancient juridical notion, under which a person persecuted for political opinions or religious beliefs in his or her own country may be protected by another sovereign authority, a foreign country, or church sanctuaries...
policys, earning her the unofficial title of an Austrian "Iron Lady".
Because her family made a fortune producing gravel she is often referred to as "Schottermitzi" (roughly translates to "Gravel Mary"; 'Mitzi' in Viennese dialect also hints at 'prostitute').
Career
- Doctor of Law, Linz UniversityJohannes Kepler University of LinzThe Johannes Kepler University of Linz is a public institution of higher education in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria...
(1979) - Magistra rerum socialium oeconomicarumqueMagister (degree)Magister is an academic degree used in various systems of higher education.-Argentina:...
, Linz University (1982) - Engagement in her parents' gravel pit and carrying business (1982—), managing partner (1986—)
- Municipal councillor in Attnang-Puchheim (1986–1990)
- Member of the executive committee (Präsidium) of the Österreichischer Wirtschaftsbund (entrepreneurs' organization of the Austrian People's Party) (1990–2002)
- State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs (1990–1994)
- Member of the National Council (ParliamentParliament of AustriaIn the Parliament of Austria is vested the legislative power of the Republic of Austria. The institution consists of two chambers,* the National Council and* the Federal Council ....
) (1994–2007) - OmbudsmanOmbudsmanAn ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests...
(Volksanwältin) (2007–2008) - Federal Minister of the Interior (2008-2011)
- Federal Minister of Finance (2011—)