Christian Kern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christian Kern
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Kern in 2016
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| 25th Chancellor of Austria | |
| In office 17 May 2016 – 18 December 2017 |
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| President | Heinz Fischer Alexander Van der Bellen |
| Vice-Chancellor | Reinhold Mitterlehner Wolfgang Brandstetter |
| Preceded by | Werner Faymann |
| Succeeded by | Sebastian Kurz |
| Chair of the Social Democratic Party | |
| In office 25 June 2016 – 25 September 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Werner Faymann |
| Succeeded by | Pamela Rendi-Wagner |
| Member of the National Council | |
| In office 9 November 2017 – 15 November 2018 |
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| Nominated by | Himself |
| Affiliation | Social Democratic Party |
| Chair of the Austrian Federal Railways | |
| In office 7 June 2010 – 17 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Martin Huber |
| Succeeded by | Andreas Matthä |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Christian Kern
4 January 1966 Vienna, Austria |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party |
| Spouses | Eveline Steinberger Karin Wessely
(m. 1985; div. 1988) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Vienna |
| Profession |
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| Website |
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Christian Kern (born on January 4, 1966) is an Austrian businessman and former politician. He served as the Chancellor of Austria from May 17, 2016, to December 18, 2017. He was also the leader of the Social Democratic Party from June 25, 2016, to September 25, 2018.
Before becoming Chancellor, Kern worked as a journalist and a senior manager. He led Austria's main electricity company, Verbund AG. In 2010, he became the CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), which is a state-owned company. He also led a group of European railway companies.
Kern became Chancellor after the previous leader, Werner Faymann, stepped down. Kern promised to work with the People's Party in a "grand coalition." This means the two biggest parties worked together to govern. He wanted to create more jobs and make sure workers benefited from the economy.
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Early Life and Education
Christian Kern grew up in Simmering, a part of Vienna where many working-class families lived. His father was an electrician, and his mother was a secretary.
He studied journalism and communication at the University of Vienna. After that, he continued his education at the Management Zentrum St. Gallen.
Career Highlights
Kern began his career in 1989 as a journalist, writing about business. In 1991, he started working for the Austrian government. He was an assistant to a state secretary in the Federal Chancellery. Later, he became the chief of staff and spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party's parliamentary group.
In 1997, Kern joined Verbund AG, Austria's largest electricity provider. He managed marketing and sales there. By 2007, he became a member of the company's Board of Directors. He was in charge of international business and investments.
Leading the Austrian Federal Railways
In 2010, Christian Kern was chosen to be the CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). This is Austria's national railway company. In 2014, he also became the chairman of the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), a group for European railway companies. He has also been on the board of the football club FK Austria Wien since 2009.
In 2012, ÖBB celebrated 175 years since the start of rail transport in Austria. Kern helped create an exhibition about the railway's history during a difficult time. This showed how important it is to remember the past. For his efforts, he received an award in 2013 from the Vienna Israelite Community.
During the 2015 European migrant crisis, Kern helped organize the transport of many migrants across Austria by train. He supported German Chancellor Angela Merkel's approach to migration. A trade union leader at ÖBB praised Kern, saying he was the first boss who truly supported his workers.
Becoming Chancellor of Austria
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Since 2014, Kern was often mentioned as a possible future Chancellor. When Chancellor Werner Faymann resigned in May 2016, the Social Democrats decided to nominate Kern for the top job.
He was sworn in as Chancellor on May 17, 2016. Kern said that the two main parties in the government needed to work together better. He also confirmed that Austria was right to help people during the refugee crisis, while also keeping things safe and orderly.
Kern appointed Muna Duzdar as a state secretary. She became the first Muslim woman to hold a government position in Austria.
In August 2016, Kern stated that he was against Turkey joining the European Union. His government also introduced new rules, like a ban on full face-covering veils and stricter immigration laws.
In June 2017, Kern spoke out against new U.S. sanctions on Russia that could affect energy projects between Europe and Russia. He said that Europe's energy supply was a matter for Europe, not the United States.
In the October 2017 election, Kern's Social Democratic Party lost to Sebastian Kurz's People's Party. Kurz then formed a government with the Freedom Party. Kern became the leader of the opposition.
Leaving Politics
In September 2018, Kern announced that he would step down as the leader of his party. He planned to run for the European Parliament elections. However, in October 2018, he decided to leave politics completely. Pamela Rendi-Wagner became the new party leader.
Other Activities
Christian Kern has been involved in several other organizations:
Corporate Boards
- Russian Railways, a railway company (2019–2022)
Non-profit Organizations
- European China Business Council, President (since 2019)
- FK Austria Wien, a football club, member of the board of trustees
- Rechtskomitee LAMBDA (RKL), member of the board of trustees
- Business Forum of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, member of the political advisory board (since 2018)
Personal Life
Christian Kern married Karin Wessely in 1985, and they had three sons. They divorced in 1988. Karin Wessely, who was also a politician, spoke highly of Kern.
He later married Eveline Steinberger, and they have a daughter together. This marriage ended in 2022.
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