Elisabeth Köstinger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elisabeth Köstinger
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Köstinger in 2020
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| Minister of Agriculture, Regions, and Tourism | |
| In office 7 January 2020 – 18 May 2022 |
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| Chancellor | Sebastian Kurz Alexander Schallenberg Karl Nehammer |
| Preceded by | Maria Patek |
| Succeeded by | Norbert Totschnig |
| In office 18 December 2017 – 3 June 2019 |
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| Chancellor | Sebastian Kurz |
| Preceded by | Andrä Rupprechter |
| Succeeded by | Maria Patek |
| President of the National Council | |
| In office 9 November 2017 – 18 December 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Doris Bures |
| Succeeded by | Wolfgang Sobotka |
| Member of the European Parliament | |
| In office 14 July 2009 – 8 November 2017 |
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| Affiliation | EPP Group |
| Constituency | Austria |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 November 1978 Wolfsberg, Carinthia, Austria |
| Political party | People's Party |
Elisabeth Köstinger (born 22 November 1978) is an Austrian politician. She has held important roles in the Austrian government. From 2020 to 2022, she was the Minister for Agriculture, Regions, and Tourism. She also served in this role from 2017 to 2019.
Before becoming a minister, Köstinger was the President of Austria's National Council for a short time in 2017. She was also a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Austria from 2009 to 2017. She is a member of the Austrian People's Party, which is part of the European People's Party.
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Her Early Life and Studies
Elisabeth Köstinger was born in Wolfsberg, Austria. She went to school in Granitztal and St. Paul in Carinthia. She also attended a college for management in Wolfsberg.
After school, she worked at a health insurance office. Later, she worked in the communications field. She started studying journalism at the University of Klagenfurt in 2003. However, she did not finish her studies. This was because she became very busy with her work as a Member of the European Parliament.
She also completed special courses. These included the AufZaQ course and the EDUCA course. These courses were offered by Austrian youth and young farmers' organizations.
Starting Her Political Journey
Elisabeth Köstinger began her political career at a young age. She joined the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). She held several positions in youth groups within the party:
- Head of the local Rural Youth Organisation in Granitztal (1995-1997)
- District head of the Rural Youth Organisation in Wolfsberg (1997-2001)
- Regional head of the Rural Youth Organisation in Carinthia (2001-2002)
- Federal head of the Austrian Rural Youth Organisation (2002-2006)
- Representative for the Austrian Rural Youth Organisation at the European Council of Young Farmers (2003-2005)
Working in the European Parliament
Köstinger was first elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 2009. She was re-elected in 2014. In the European Parliament, she worked on important topics.
From 2011, she was a vice-chair for the Austrian People’s Party in the European Parliament. She was part of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. This committee deals with farming and food. She also worked on the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality.
She was also involved in other groups. She was a vice-chair for the group that worked with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. She also worked with the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly.
Becoming a Minister
On 18 December 2017, Elisabeth Köstinger became a Federal Minister. She was appointed by the President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen. Her first role was Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, the Environment, and Water Management.
In January 2018, her responsibilities changed. She became the Federal Minister for Sustainability and Tourism. In this role, she also helped lead meetings for Environment Ministers from the European People's Party.
In May 2022, Köstinger announced that she would leave the government. She decided to step away from politics and work in the private sector.
Other Important Roles in Austria
Köstinger has held many other significant roles in Austrian politics:
- Federal head of the Austrian Young Farmers' Association (2007-2012)
- Vice-chair of the Austrian Farmers' Federation (since 2009)
- President of ‘wald.zeit Österreich’ (since 2012)
- President of the Ecosocial Forum Europe (since 2014)
- Vice-chair of the Political Academy of the Austrian People's Party (since 2015)
- Secretary general of the Austrian People’s Party (since May 2017)
Achievements and Awards
On 18 March 2014, Elisabeth Köstinger received an award. It was the MEP Award in the category of Agriculture and Rural Development. This award recognized her excellent work. She helped with important talks about the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This policy guides farming across Europe.
Personal Life
Elisabeth Köstinger lives in St. Paul, Carinthia. In July 2018, she became a mother to a son.
