Austria mourns the loss of Hannes Androsch: a life's work in politics

Austria mourns the loss of Hannes Androsch: a life's work in politics

The Austrian political and business world mourns the loss of Hannes Androsch, who died surprisingly on Wednesday at the age of 86. Androsch, who, as Finance Minister of SPÖ Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, was promoted in politics, was long considered his "heir to the throne". After a stormy political career, which was characterized by tensions and a remarkable decline in his relationship with Kreisky, Androsch left the government in 1981. As a result, he developed into a successful industrial and pleading tirelessly for more research and education in Austria, as the Androsch private foundation announced in a message in which they also think of its grieving relatives.

Androsch left a remarkable legacy in the domestic industry. He took over the dilapidated circuit board company AT&S, which he successfully brought to the stock exchange and founded numerous other companies, including the acquisition of the saltes, which earned him the charming title "Salzbaron from Altaussee". During his political career and beyond, Androsch always expressed his critical attitude towards politics, for example when he described the Corona aid measures as "brilliantly failed", as the Tyrolean daily newspaper reported.

a legacy of reforms and education

voices from politics recognized Androsch’s merits and his tireless commitment to reforms in education. Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen described him as a "personality that will be missing", while Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed his appreciation for the talks and the exchange with Androsch. The SPÖ federal party chairman Andreas Babler emphasized that his actions made Austria a modern industrial state. The Austria Chamber of Commerce also emphasized its commitment to social justice and the promotion of science and research, as was documented on vienna.at

Androsch will be remembered as one of the last major personalities of the second republic, who left traces both in politics and in business. His surprising death leaves grief and a great gap - a loss that will be felt in the halls of politics and the economy.