AUSTRIA'S NEW CABINET: FM SPINDELEGGER

UNCLAS VIENNA 001731

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/CE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA'S NEW CABINET: FM SPINDELEGGER


1. (U) The following is a profile of Michael Spindelegger, of the
conservative People's Party (OVP),who has been named Foreign
Minister in the new GOA cabinet.

Experience
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2. (U) Spindelegger was born in the city of Moedling south of Vienna
on December 21, 1959. He obtained a law degree from the University
of Vienna in 1983. After a one-year stint as a university
assistant, he occupied various civil service jobs in the Lower
Austrian government before becoming a staffer in the then OVP-held
Ministry of Defense (1987-1990). Subsequently, he worked for two
years with the Association of Austrian Industrialists, followed by a
two-year stint with a large Austrian bank, before returning to the
provincial government of Lower Austria.


3. (U) Spindelegger started his political career in the labor wing
(OeAAB) of the OVP, where he initially covered EU affairs. In 1989
he became chairman of the Lower Austrian state chapter of the OeAAB
- a job he has held since. He was elected to Austria's Upper House
in 1992; a year later he became OVP deputy to the Lower House
(national parliament). After Austria's accession to the EU in 1995,
Spindelegger served as one of Austria's first deputies to the
European Parliament for one year. Subsequently, Spindelegger served
as OVP foreign policy spokesman in the national parliament for 10
years. From 2000 to 2006 he also held the position of OVP deputy
floor leader. In October 2006 Spindelegger was elected Second
President of Parliament; he was reelected to this post in October
2008, and was nominated a month later as Foreign Minister in the
SPO-OVP coalition government. Apart from his political career,
Spindelegger also serves as a reserve officer in the Austrian army
and honorary president of the National Defense Society.

Political Views
--------------


4. (SBU) Spindelegger had been repeatedly considered a top candidate
for a ministerial post, including that of Foreign Minister, during
past government formation processes. He is widely viewed as a
mainstream conservative politician with a strong Christian-based
world view. Spindelegger is a supporter of the SOS Kinderdorf
(orphans') organization in his home area in Lower Austria. He is on
record opposing liberalization of Austria's relatively restrictive
laws on homosexual partnerships.

Family
--------------


5. (U) Spindelegger is married; his wife's name is Margit. The
couple has two sons, Matthias and Patrick. His wife reportedly
served as chef-de-cabinet for the president of the European Audit
Court until 2008.

Comment: EU, UNSC Challenges
--------------


6. (SBU) EU policy is likely to be a challenge for Spindelegger
during his tenure. The SPO has called for national referenda on
future EU treaties, which the OVP sharply opposes. The coalition
parties managed to set aside their differences when each agreed not
to enact a referendum on any EU treaty against the will of the other
party. Nevertheless, a dispute over a referendum could bring the
government down. Spindelegger will also have to look for ways to
encourage more support for the EU among the skeptical Austrian
public. European parliamentary elections are set for June 2009, and
many fear that Austrian voter apathy will contribute to an
embarrassingly strong showing by the far right.


7. (SBU) Spindelegger will also guide Austria through its two-year
UNSC membership, which starts January 1, 2009. Austria will be
under domestic pressure to promote "thematic" discussion on issues
such as the environment and women's rights, while at the same time
being pressed to weigh in on more difficult issues such as Iran
sanctions.

GIRARD-DICARLO