Werner Faymann

Faymann, Werner, 1960–, Austrian politician, federal chancellor of Austria (2008–), b. Vienna. A member of the Social Democrat party, he began his political career as chairman of Vienna Socialist Youth (1985–94); he also was a bank consultant (1985–88) and later directed a Viennese tenants' group. From 1994 Faymann was a member of the Viennese state parliament and municipal council and also served as city counselor for housing, construction, and urban renewal; he then was (2007–8) federal minister for transport, innovation, and technology. In 2008 Faymann became head of the Social Democratic party. After that year's parliamentary elections a left-right, Social Democratic–People's party coalition was formed, and Fayman was named chancellor.