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A Special Luncheon Briefing by Dr. Franz Vranitzky Friday, December 1712:00 Noon (11:30 a.m. reception) About Dr. Franz Vranitzky In 1955, Dr. Franz Vranitzky began his studies at the Vienna University of Business and Economics, where he was awarded his diploma in 1960. Following several years of professional activity, he received his Doctorate in Business Studies in 1969. Dr. Vranitzky began his professional career in the auditing department of Siemens Schuckert Ltd. in Vienna in 1960. In 1961, he moved to the economics department of the Austrian National Bank. In 1970, he became an adviser on economic and financial affairs in the office of the Finance Minister. In 1976, Dr. Vranitzky became Deputy Chairman of the Board of Austria's largest bank, the Creditanstalt-Bankverein. In 1981, he moved to the Board of the Austrian Länderbank, where he became Chairman of the Board in the same year. In the course of internal government changes, Dr. Vranitzky was appointed Finance Minister in the Federal Government in 1984. Following the resignation of Fred Sinowatz, Dr. Vranitzky was sworn in as Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria on June 16, 1986. Following a general election, a coalition government was formed in January 1987 between the Socialist Party (SPO) and the People's Party (OVP). This "Grand Coalition," led by Chancellor Vranitzky, continued after the elections of October 7, 1990, and October 9, 1994. The Social Democratic party, led by Dr. Vranitzky, emerged from the general election of December 1995 stronger than before. In March 1996, Dr. Vranitzky's fifth government was sworn in by the Federal President. Franz Vranitzky received an Honorary Doctorate in 1993 from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in recognition of his efforts to improve Austrian-Israeli relations and for his forthright statements on Austria's role during the Nazi period. He also has received Honorary Degrees from the Universities of Santiago de Chile and Bratislava. The City of Aachen presented him with the Charles prize for his work to promote European integration and because under his leadership Austria became a member of the European Union on January 1, 1995. In 1995, Dr. Vranitzky also was awarded the Fulbright Prize in Washington for his services to Eastern Europe after the dismantling of the Iron Curtain. Dr. Vranitzky is an Honorary Senator of the Vienna University School of Business and Economics. Franz Vranitzky has been a member of the Social Democratic Party since the early 1960s. From May 1988 until April 1997, he served as chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Austria,. Under his chairmanship the Socialist Party developed into the Social Democratic Party. He is one of the Vice-Presidents of the Socialist International. After more than 10 years in office, Dr. Vranitzky resigned as Chancellor of the Republic of Austria on January 18, 1997. At the party congress in Linz on April 9, 1997, he withdrew from his position as chairman of the Social Democratic Party. Since December 1997, Dr. Vranitzky has served as an adviser to the Westdeutsche Landesbank. In addition to being the author of numerous articles, he is also editor of periodical collections of essays titled "Topics of Our Time," which he initiated and in which many young scientists participate. Franz Vranitzky is married to the former Christine Kristen. They have a daughter and a son and four grandchildren. A member of the Austrian 1960 Olympic basketball team, Dr. Vranitzky is an avid fan of basketball and other sports. Sponsoring Organizations
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