Farewell to Peter Kostelka: A life for people's rights

Farewell to Peter Kostelka: A life for people's rights

On April 17, 2025, Austrian politics suffered a significant loss: Peter Kostelka died. The President of the National Council, Walter Rosenkranz, was affected and praised Kostelka as a committed politician who fought for the rights of citizens all his life. Federal Council President Doris Bures also emphasized Kostelka's commitment to intergenerational justice and described him as a reliable voice for the older generation.

Mourning for Kostelka is expressed from many quarters. Peter Haubner, the Second President of the National Council, described him as a true fighter for people's rights. Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler, the President of the Federal Council, cannot avoid highlighting Kostelka's tireless commitment to the needs of senior citizens.

Political career and legacy

Peter Kostelka was born in Carinthia in 1946 and had an impressive political career. From 1990 to 1994 he was State Secretary in the cabinet of Franz Vranitzky III. His membership in the National Council extended from November 1994 to June 2001. He also held the office of Ombudsman until 2013. Most recently, he headed the Austrian Pensioners Association and was particularly committed to the interests of senior citizens.

The reporting on Kostelka highlights his achievements as the head of the SPÖ pensioners. An article by wien.ORF.at emphasizes that he left a lasting impression on the political landscape, even though no further details about his death or his life story were revealed.

Social contexts

Kostelka's work took place in a challenging political climate marked by profound social and political transitions. These aspects are also addressed in the project on biography and political culture in Austria between 1848 and 1938, which examines political discourses in the biographies of poets and musicians. Historical discourse analyzes provide a framework for understanding how such biographical texts reflect and influence political developments in Austria and how they shape socio-political tendencies.

The consideration of territorial, ethnic and linguistic aspects in this research testifies to the complexity of Austrian identity over the centuries, something that should also be taken into account in the political work of Peter Kostelka.

The loss of Peter Kostelka is not only a big blow for the SPÖ, but for the entire Austrian political landscape. His commitment to the rights of older people and his tireless commitment to social justice will be remembered.

Further information about his life and work can be found in the reports of OTS, wien.ORF.at and the project Biography and political culture be read.