Lueger, Karl

Lueger, Karl, b. Vienna, Oct. 24, 1844, d. Vienna, March 10, 1910, law graduate and politician (Christian-Socialist). Son of a servant at the Vienna Polytechnical School, from 1874 to 1896 lawyer in Vienna. from 1875/76 and 1878 to 1910 member of the Vienna Municipal Council, from 1885 member of the Reichsrat, from 1890 member of the Lower Austrian Landtag, 1895 and 1896/97 Vice Mayor, 1897 to 1910 Mayor of Vienna. He was a liberal, joined the Democrats in the Municipal Council until he took up the ideas of K. von Vogelsang and became founder of the Christian Social Party. Supported by a party with broad popular appeal, he fought liberalism, whose advocates in the press treated him with great hostility. He was a fascinating speaker and charismatic "populist". Displayed anti-Semite tendencies in conflicts with his political opponents as a means to a political end (Anti-Semitism). He strongly supported the trading sector of the middle class. After he was elected Mayor he fought both the Social Democrats and radical German-National tendencies. Responsible for considerable communal achievements during his term (gas and electricity supply, the "Green belt" forest and meadow reserve around large parts of Vienna, 2nd water supply pipeline, social welfare and public transport). He was highly popular and respected.

Literature: F. Czeike, Liberale, christl.-soz. und soz.-dem. Kommunalpolitik (1861-1934), 1962; W. Boyer, Political Radicalism in the Late Imperial Vienna, 1981; H. Andics, Luegerzeit, 1984; ÖBL; NÖB; NDB.