Leopold Figl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leopold Figl
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Figl as Lower Austrian governor, about 1962
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| Chancellor of Austria | |
| In office 20 December 1945 – 2 April 1953 |
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| President | Karl Renner Theodor Körner |
| Vice-Chancellor | Adolf Schärf |
| Preceded by | Karl Renner |
| Succeeded by | Julius Raab |
| Vice-Chancellor of Austria | |
| In office 27 April 1945 – 20 December 1945 Serving with Johann Koplenig, Adolf Schärf
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| Chancellor | Karl Renner |
| Preceded by | Edmund Glaise-Horstenau (1938) |
| Succeeded by | Adolf Schärf |
| Governor of Lower Austria | |
| In office 14 January 1962 – 9 May 1965 |
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| Preceded by | Johann Steinböck |
| Succeeded by | Eduard Hartmann |
| In office 25 May 1945 – 15 October 1945 |
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| Preceded by | Hugo Jury |
| Succeeded by | Johann Steinböck |
| President of the National Council | |
| In office 9 June 1959 – 5 February 1962 |
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| Preceded by | Felix Hurdes |
| Succeeded by | Alfred Maleta |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 26 November 1953 – 9 June 1959 |
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| Chancellor | Julius Raab |
| Preceded by | Karl Gruber |
| Succeeded by | Bruno Kreisky |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 October 1902 Rust, Michelhausen, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | 9 May 1965 (aged 62) Vienna, Austria |
| Political party | People's Party |
| Alma mater | Universität für Bodenkultur Wien |
Leopold Figl (born October 2, 1902 – died May 9, 1965) was an important Austrian politician. He was a member of the Austrian People's Party, a group based on Christian values. Figl became the first Federal Chancellor of Austria after World War II. He was also the youngest person to hold this position after the war, before Sebastian Kurz.
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Early Life and Career
Leopold Figl was born in a small village called Rust im Tullnerfeld in Lower Austria. His family were farmers. He studied Agriculture at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna and earned an engineering degree.
In 1931, Figl became the vice-chairman of the Lower Austrian Bauernbund, which was a farmers' association. He became chairman in 1933. In 1930, Figl married Hilde Hemala. They had two children together.
During a time when Austria had a strict, non-democratic government, Figl became involved in politics. He was a member of the federal council for economic policy. He also led a military-style organization called Ostmärkische Sturmscharen in Lower Austria.
Life During World War II
When Nazi Germany took over Austria in 1938 (an event known as the Anschluss), the Nazis sent Figl to Dachau concentration camp. This was a type of prison camp. He was released in May 1943 and worked as an oil engineer.
However, in October 1944, Figl was arrested again. He was sent to Mauthausen concentration camp. On January 21, 1945, he was brought to Vienna. There were plans for him to face a special court, which often resulted in severe punishments. But Figl was released on April 6, 1945. This happened when Soviet Army troops reached the center of Vienna during the Vienna Offensive.
Post-War Leadership
After the Nazis were defeated, the Allied forces occupied Austria at the end of World War II. The Soviet military commander, Fyodor Tolbukhin, asked Figl to help provide food for the people of Vienna.
On April 14, 1945, Figl helped restart the Bauernbund (Farmer's League). He then helped combine it with the new Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), which was formed three days later. Figl was chosen as vice-chairman of the ÖVP. Soon after, on April 27, he became the temporary Governor of Lower Austria and a vice-minister.
Becoming Chancellor
In December 1945, Austria held its first free elections since 1930. Figl's party, the ÖVP, won with nearly 50 percent of the votes. This gave them the most seats in the government. Figl was suggested as the new Chancellor. The Soviets agreed because he had opposed the Nazis and was good at managing things.
Even though his party could have governed alone, Figl decided to form a "grand coalition." This meant his party worked together with the Socialists and the Communists. This was done to avoid the political disagreements that had caused problems in the First Republic before the war. This coalition helped Austria deal with the big economic and social challenges left by World War II. The Communists left the coalition in 1947, but the other parties continued to work together until 1966.
Foreign Minister and Austrian State Treaty
Leopold Figl stepped down as Chancellor on November 26, 1953. His successor was Julius Raab. Even though Figl was no longer Chancellor, he remained an important part of the government as Foreign Minister.
Figl played a very important role in achieving the Austrian State Treaty. This treaty was signed on May 15, 1955, and it gave Austria its full independence and control over its own country again. A famous moment in Austrian history is when Figl appeared on the balcony of Belvedere Palace. He waved the signed treaty and said, Österreich ist frei! ("Austria is free!"). This moment has become a symbol of Austria's freedom.
Later Political Roles
In the national elections of 1959, the Socialist Party gained more support. This meant they had more power in parliament. As a result, Bruno Kreisky took over from Figl as Foreign Minister.
Figl then became the president of the National Council (Austria's parliament) from 1959 to 1962. After that, he returned to Lower Austria to become the governor of his home state.
Figl was also a patron of the Pfadfinder Österreichs (Scouts of Austria) from 1960 to 1964. He served as the president of this Scout association from 1964 until his death.
Leopold Figl passed away from kidney cancer in 1965 in Vienna. He is buried in a special grave at the Zentralfriedhof cemetery. His son, Johannes, also became involved in the Scouting movement.
Path to Sainthood
In December 2020, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sankt Pölten began the process for Leopold Figl to be recognized as a saint. He currently holds the title "Servant of God."
Honors and Awards
Leopold Figl received many awards for his service to Austria:
- Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX
- Honorary Ring of Lower Austria (1952)
- Grand Gold Decoration with Sash of the Order for Services to the Republic of Austria (1954)
- Golden Commander's Cross with the Star of Honour for Services to the Province of Lower Austria
Several places have been named after Leopold Figl to honor him:
- Leopold Figl Museum in Michelhausen, Lower Austria
- Leopold Figl observatory on the Schöpfl mountain
- Leopold Figl observatory on Tulbinger Kogel
- Leopold Figl court in Vienna
- Leopold Figl Lane in Vienna
- A monument (bust) in Vienna's Minoritenplatz
- Plaques on his former homes in Vienna
See also
In Spanish: Leopold Figl para niños
