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Matthias Strolz
Matthias Strolz 20130516 cropped.jpg
Chairman of the NEOS
In office
27 October 2012 – 23 June 2018
Preceded by office established
Succeeded by Beate Meinl-Reisinger
Leader of the NEOS in the National Council
In office
29 October 2013 – 26 September 2018
Chairman himself
Beate Meinl-Reisinger
Preceded by office established
Succeeded by Beate Meinl-Reisinger
Personal details
Born (1973-06-10) 10 June 1973 (age 52)
Bludenz, Vorarlberg
Political party NEOS
Education Bundesgymnasium und Bundesrealgymnasium Bludenz
Alma mater University of Innsbruck
Occupation Business consultant (formerly)
Website NEOS Website
Personal Twitter
Personal Facebook

Matthias Strolz (born 10 June 1973) is an Austrian politician. He is known for starting the political party called NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum. He was also the first leader of this party. From 2013 to 2018, he was a member of Austria's parliament, known as the National Council.

Early Life and Education

Matthias Strolz was born on 10 June 1973 in Bludenz, a town in Vorarlberg, Austria. He grew up in a nearby village called Wald am Arlberg.

School and University

In 1991, Matthias finished his high school education. This was at the Bundesgymnasium Bludenz. While in school, from 1990 to 1991, he was the main student representative for the region of Vorarlberg.

After high school, Matthias studied international economics and political science. He went to the University of Innsbruck. During his studies, he also spent a semester abroad in Dublin, Ireland, in 1994 and 1995. In 1996, he became the chairman of the student association at the University of Innsbruck.

Early Career Steps

Before becoming a politician, Matthias worked as a freelance journalist. He also served in the Austrian Armed Forces. In 2000, he became a certified business consultant. He also worked as a trainee at the Federation of Austrian Industries. Around this time, he worked for a politician named Karlheinz Kopf. In 2003, Matthias Strolz earned a special degree (a doctorate) from the University of Klagenfurt.

Founding a Political Party

In 2001, Matthias Strolz started his own company called ic2 consulting GmbH. Later, he also managed another company. However, he stopped his business work in October 2012. This was because he decided to start a new political party.

NEOS is Born

On 27 October 2012, Matthias Strolz founded the new political party called NEOS. He was chosen as its first leader. Before the 2013 national elections, NEOS teamed up with another party, the Liberal Forum. This partnership helped them get enough votes to enter the National Council. They received 5.0% of the votes.

Time in Parliament

On 29 October 2013, Matthias Strolz officially became a member of the Austrian National Council. In parliament, he served as the leader of the NEOS and Liberal Forum group. In January 2014, NEOS and the Liberal Forum officially joined together. The new party was named NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum. Matthias Strolz was again elected as the party chairman.

On 7 May 2018, Matthias Strolz announced that he would step down. He resigned as the party leader and as a member of parliament.

Personal Life

Matthias Strolz has been married to his wife, Irene, since 2005. They have three daughters. He lives with his family in Mauer, which is a part of Vienna, Austria.

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