Fischer, Heinz

(1938–)

   Growing up in Graz in a family of loyal followers of the Socialist Party of Austria, Fischer became president of the Second Austrian Republic in 2004. He was first elected to the Austrian National Assembly (Nationalrat) in 1971; from 1983 to 1987 he was minister of science in the government of Fred Sinowatz (1929–2008). He had also been a professor of political science at the University of Innsbruck since 1993.

   Known for his even-tempered ways and a conciliatory approach in political negotiations, Fischer has often been compared to one of his predecessors, Rudolf Kirchschläger. He has, however, also been charged with lacking political courage, a trait that some found evident in his failure to criticize Chancellor Bruno Kreisky’s illadvised vendetta against Simon Wiesenthal, the highly profiled Nazi hunter.