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Christian Kern (Austrian German pronunciation: [ˈkrɪsti̯a(ː)n ˈkɛrn]; born 4 January 1966) is an Austrian businessman and former politician who served as Chancellor of Austria from 17 May 2016 to 18 December 2017 and chairman of the Social Democratic Party from 25 June 2016 to 25 September 2018.

Key Information

A business journalist by profession, the member of Austria's Social Democratic Party served as spokesman of the SPÖ's parliamentary group leader in the mid-1990s, before he became a senior manager in Austria's leading electricity company Verbund AG. In 2010, Kern was appointed CEO of the state-owned Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), chairing the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) from 2014 onwards. Following the resignation of Werner Faymann amidst the presidential election, the governing Social Democrats nominated Kern for the office of chancellor.

Kern was sworn in as Chancellor of Austria on 17 May 2016, vowing to continue the grand coalition with the People's Party (ÖVP) but promising a New Deal that would bring about more jobs by cutting red tape while ensuring ordinary workers receive a share of economic prosperity. Kern criticized the Austrian political elite as being power-obsessed and devoid of a meaningful political agenda about the country's future.

Early life and education

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Kern was raised in Simmering, a working-class district of Vienna, as the son of an electrician and a secretary.[1] He studied journalism and communication at the University of Vienna followed by postgraduate education at the Management Zentrum St. Gallen.

Career

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Kern started his career in 1989 as a business journalist writing for the Wirtschaftspressedienst and Austrian business magazine Option. In 1991, he became an assistant of the Federal Chancellery's undersecretary of state for civil service, Peter Kostelka. When Kostelka became chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) parliamentary group in 1994, Kern remained his chief of office and spokesman. In 1997, Kern moved to the largest Austrian electricity supplier, the Verbund AG, where from 1999 he oversaw marketing and sales. In 2007 he was appointed to be a member of the Board of Directors, additionally overseeing foreign mergers & acquisitions, investments, international business, trading, and the Austrian high-voltage transmission grid[2]

CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways

[edit]

In 2010, Kern was selected to take over the post as CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB).[1] He was appointed chairman of the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) in 2014.[3] Kern has been a board member of FK Austria Wien since 2009.

In 2012, ÖBB celebrated the 175th anniversary of the Nordbahn, the earliest predecessor company marking the start of rail transport in Austria. Kern inaugurated an exhibition on the company's complicity with the Third Reich, named "The Suppressed Years – Railway and National Socialism in Austria 1938–1945". He referred to that period as "the darkest part of our company's history," adding that "We are obliged to commemorate and with this documentation we would like to further contribute to coming to terms with the past. No matter how incredible these events may seem to us today, we need to clearly accept these times as part of our ÖBB history."[4] The exhibition later went on tour and was presented at the European Parliament's parliamentary building in Brussels.[5] For his extraordinary engagement accounting for the company's past, in June 2013 the Vienna Israelite Community awarded Kern the Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal.[6]

In the course of the 2015 European migrant crisis, Kern organized the transport of hundred thousands of migrants coming from the "Balkan route" across the country. He is considered a supporter of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's migration policy.[7] Roman Hebenstreit [de], a leading Austrian trade unionist who is also chairman of the ÖBB's works council, described Kern in 2016 as "the first ÖBB boss to really stand by his workers."[1]

Chancellor of Austria

[edit]
Kern with outgoing President Heinz Fischer and Vice Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner at the swearing-in ceremony of his new cabinet members on 18 May 2016
Kern with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, 20 December 2016
See also: Kern government

Since 2014, Kern was repeatedly named as one of the possible successors for Werner Faymann's chancellor post.[8] In 2015, Austrian news magazine profil referred to him as the "Chancellor of hearts" and the Federal Railways he led as "the only state institution that flawlessly worked amidst the refugee crisis".[9] Half a year later, when on 9 May 2016 Chancellor Faymann resigned from all his posts, Kern was again named one of the candidates alongside Time Warner manager Gerhard Zeiler and former Siemens manager Brigitte Ederer [de].[10] On a 12 May party session, the Social Democrats agreed on nominating Kern for the country's highest executive office. He was announced to be appointed the new chancellor by 17 May, and to be nominated as party chairman at the upcoming party congress on 25 June.[11][12] Kern was sworn into office on 17 May by outgoing President Heinz Fischer. At his first press conference, Kern called for a change in the style of cooperation within the coalition government, warning the two parties risked otherwise "disappearing from the screen". He reaffirmed his position that in the refugee crisis, Austria was right not to "leave women and children standing in the rain", while ensuring order and security.[7]

In spite of his credentials as a manager, Kern's nomination of members of the party's left wing, Sonja Wehsely [de] and Jörg Leichtfried, as new ministers was interpreted as a turn towards the party's left.[13] The appointment of Wehsely, who is known for her staunch pro-asylum course during the European migrant crisis, was however considered all too controversial, with political analyst Thomas Hofer referring to it as a declaration of war (kleine Kampfansage) against conservative coalition partner ÖVP.[14] Wehsely ultimately declined and decided she would stay city councillor in Vienna.[15] At the time, observers expected Kern to follow the centrist examples of German chancellor Gerhard Schröder or Britain's Tony Blair, combining pro-business policies with a social conscience.[1]

Kern appointed Muna Duzdar, a lawyer and chairwoman of the Palestininian-Austrian Society, as state secretary in the Chancellery, where she will be the first Muslim to hold a government post.[16] The fact that Duzdar, who has previously come out as a sharp critic of Israel, will now be in charge of Jewish community affairs, irritated the Jewish community. According to The Jerusalem Post author Samuel Laster, Duzdar's appointment may however be considered a "signal of openness" for Kern who is "widely regarded as a friend of Israel."[17] In August 2016, Kern announced his opposition to Turkey's accession to the European Union.[18] Soon after taking office, Kern's government implemented several law-and-order measures, including a ban on Muslim face-covering veils and a tightening of immigration rules.[19]

In June 2017, Kern criticized the draft of new U.S. sanctions against Russia that target EU–Russia energy projects, including Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.[20] In a joint statement, Kern and Germany's foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel said that "Europe's energy supply is a matter for Europe, and not for the United States of America."[21] In October 2017's snap general election, Kern's SPÖ got defeated by Sebastian Kurz's ÖVP. Kurz decided to form a coalition with the FPÖ. From December 2017, Kern was leader of the opposition.

Resignation from politics

[edit]

In September 2018, Kern announced that he would resign as national party leader and instead run as top candidate for the Austrian Social Democrats in the European Parliament elections.[22] In October 2018, he announced he was quitting politics completely. His successor as party leader is Pamela Rendi-Wagner and Andreas Schieder was presented as top candidate in the EU Parliament elections.

Other activities

[edit]

Corporate boards

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Non-profit organizations

[edit]
  • European China Business Council, President (since 2019)[25]
  • FK Austria Wien, member of the board of trustees[26]
  • Rechtskomitee LAMBDA (RKL), member of the board of trustees
  • Business Forum of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, member of the political advisory board (since 2018)[27]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1985, Kern married Karin Wessely, with whom he has three sons. In 1988, his marriage with Wessely, who was a local SPÖ politician in Mödling, a district capital south of Vienna, ended in divorce. Wessely supported his nomination as successor to Faymann and highly praised him as a charismatic personality who is able to unite the more left-aligned and the more right-aligned factions of their party.[28] With his second wife, Eveline Steinberger, he has a daughter.[2] This marriage ended in a divorce in 2022.

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Christian Kern

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from Grokipedia
Christian Kern (born 4 January 1966) is an Austrian businessman and former politician who served as Chancellor of Austria from 17 May 2016 until 18 December 2017 and as chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) from 2016 to 2018. Prior to entering national politics, Kern built a career in journalism, public administration, and executive roles in the energy and rail sectors, including as chairman of the management board of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) from 2009 to 2016, where he focused on operational efficiency, sustainability, and addressing historical accountability for the railways' role during the Nazi era. His brief chancellorship followed the resignation of Werner Faymann amid the European migrant crisis and domestic political turmoil; Kern's SPÖ-ÖVP coalition government prioritized economic reforms and EU integration but faced criticism for inefficacy and was undermined by intra-coalition tensions and a damaging scandal involving SPÖ-linked operatives in online smear campaigns, culminating in electoral losses that prompted his resignation and a snap election. After leaving politics in 2018, forgoing a bid for a top European Commission post, Kern returned to private sector and advisory roles, engaging in discussions on energy policy, sustainability, and European affairs while maintaining a low public profile.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family origins

Christian Kern was born on 4 January 1966 in , , into a working-class in the district. He grew up sharing a room with his older sister in a modest three-room apartment within a plain post-war housing block, reflecting the socioeconomic conditions of many Viennese working families at the time. His mother, who had worked as a secretary, primarily stayed at home to care for Kern and his sister, who is ten years his senior, while his father was employed at an electrical installation firm. From an early age, Kern and his sister were instilled with a strong sense of historical remembrance by their mother, who repeatedly shared personal family stories related to , underscoring themes of survival and moral duty. These narratives, conveyed consistently throughout their childhood, shaped Kern's later public emphasis on Austria's responsibility toward its Jewish citizens and education.

Academic studies and early influences

Christian Kern enrolled at the University of Vienna to study Publizistik- und Kommunikationswissenschaften ( and communication sciences), completing his Diplomstudium with a Magister philosophiae (Mag. phil.) degree in 1997. His diploma thesis addressed media-related themes, reflecting an early focus on communication dynamics. Prior to specializing, Kern briefly explored and , which informed his broader intellectual interests. During his university years, Kern engaged with the Verband Sozialistischer Studenten, Akademiker und Sportler (VSStÖ), the socialist student organization affiliated with the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), marking an initial foray into political that presaged his later career trajectory. This involvement likely exposed him to social democratic ideologies and labor-oriented networks, influencing his worldview amid Austria's post-Cold War political landscape. Following graduation, he undertook postgraduate studies in management at the Management Zentrum St. Gallen, bridging academic foundations with practical executive training.

Pre-political professional career

Journalism and media roles

Kern entered the field of in 1989, focusing on business and economic topics. He wrote for the Wirtschaftspressedienst, a specialized economic news service, and contributed to Option, an Austrian business magazine. Following about two years in reporting, Kern shifted to communications roles within the (SPÖ) in 1991, starting as press spokesman for State Secretary Peter Kostelka in the Federal Chancellery. By 1994, he advanced to office manager and press spokesman for the SPÖ parliamentary group leader in the National Council. In this capacity, Kern handled and information dissemination for the party's legislative activities, earning recognition from journalists in 1995 as Austria's top press spokesman, particularly for his courteous approach and substantive briefings. These positions in media and press operations honed Kern's skills in public communication, facilitating his later transitions into executive management while maintaining ties to political journalism networks.

Executive positions in energy and infrastructure

In 1997, Christian Kern entered the energy sector by joining Verbund AG, Austria's largest electricity utility, which specializes in hydropower generation and transmission infrastructure. Over the subsequent decade, he held various leading positions within the Verbund Group, culminating in the successful management of a key subsidiary prior to his elevation to the executive level. On May 11, 2007, Kern was appointed to the Managing Board of AG, where he assumed responsibility for the company's international business operations, including expansion strategies and cross-border energy projects. During his tenure, pursued growth in infrastructure, leveraging Austria's hydroelectric assets amid increasing European demand for sustainable power. Kern resigned from the Managing Board on , , to pursue opportunities in transportation , marking the end of his executive roles in the sector. His time at positioned him as an executive with expertise in managing state-influenced utilities focused on critical .

Leadership at Austrian Federal Railways

Appointment and strategic overhaul

Christian Kern was appointed (CEO) of ÖBB-Holding AG, the parent company of , in June 2010, succeeding Hans-Peter Haselsteiner amid the state-owned enterprise's severe financial difficulties. At the time, ÖBB reported losses of €970 million in 2009 and faced mounting debt that contributed significantly to Austria's public finances, prompting concerns over potential . Kern, previously a media executive with experience in energy infrastructure, was tasked by the Austrian government with stabilizing the company, which operated as a heavily subsidized provider rather than a purely commercial entity. Upon assuming leadership, Kern launched a comprehensive program emphasizing cost discipline, operational efficiency, and selective investments to transition ÖBB from chronic losses to profitability by 2013. Key initiatives included overhauling management and staff structures to prioritize performance, completing the turnaround of the loss-making Rail Cargo Austria subsidiary through internal reforms rather than , and enhancing to boost passenger and freight volumes. These efforts involved leadership changes in freight operations and a strategic shift toward viewing ÖBB as a modern mobility provider, with sustained focus on projects like the Koralm and Semmering base tunnels despite fiscal pressures. The overhaul yielded measurable financial improvements, marking ÖBB's first positive EBIT in 2012 and achieving four consecutive profitable years by 2015, with EBIT rising 12% to €193 million that year amid revenue stabilization around €6.3 billion. Rail Cargo Austria posted pre-tax profits of €58.9 million in 2014 following its restructuring completion, while overall group performance reflected six straight years of enhancement by Kern's departure in May 2016, establishing a sounder financial foundation without compromising core public service obligations.

Operational achievements and financial turnaround

Under Christian Kern's leadership as CEO of ÖBB from January 2010 to May 2016, the company achieved notable operational enhancements, including improved and metrics. Annual customer surveys during this period awarded high scores for , safety, and comfort, culminating in ÖBB's best-ever overall satisfaction rating by 2015. These gains stemmed from targeted investments in modernization and service reliability, contributing to sustained ridership increases without major workforce reductions—ÖBB maintained approximately 42,000 employees through the period. Passenger volumes expanded steadily, with rail sector passenger-kilometers growing 2.2% in 2014 amid rising road fuel costs that boosted modal shift to trains. By 2016, ÖBB recorded 461 million total passengers, including 209 million on local and regional services, alongside a national passenger-kilometer rise from 12.2 billion in 2015 to 12.6 billion, elevating ÖBB's to 88.4%. Such growth reflected strategic expansions in urban and intercity services, positioning ÖBB competitively against . Financially, Kern oversaw a shift to profitability, with ÖBB reporting strong 2014 results and climbing profits by 2016 that placed it among Europe's few incumbent operators in the black. This turnaround emphasized operational efficiencies and revenue diversification, including international passenger and freight segments, rather than speculative financing amid ÖBB's inherited high debt levels, which Kern publicly attributed partly to state infrastructure obligations. Despite persistent liabilities—exacerbated by the 2008-2009 crisis—these measures stabilized core operations and supported reinvestment in infrastructure.

Criticisms of management and labor relations

During his tenure as CEO of ÖBB from 2009 to 2016, Christian Kern faced criticism from the and unions over proposed cost-saving measures aimed at achieving financial turnaround, including workforce reductions and . In September 2011, Kern outlined a strategy to shrink the company's workforce from approximately 44,000 to 40,000 employees by 2015, alongside certain departments and revisiting previously rejected options. This plan drew sharp rebuke from ÖBB chairman Wilhelm Haberzettl, who described Kern's statements as a "" on employees and warned that staff might "down tools" through strikes if agreements were altered. Haberzettl argued that such changes threatened job security and working conditions amid ongoing talks stalled over wage increases and reforms. Further tensions arose from Kern's operational , particularly the closure and sale of maintenance workshops, which Haberzettl in December 2011 labeled as shortsighted and ultimately costlier for the company in the long term. Critics within the contended that these moves prioritized short-term savings over sustainable infrastructure , potentially compromising service reliability and employee morale. Although Kern emphasized the necessity of these steps to address chronic losses— reported a net loss of €48 million projected for 2011, reduced to €28 million through efficiencies—no large-scale strikes materialized, but the highlighted underlying labor-management friction during a period of aggressive fiscal consolidation. Labor relations also drew scrutiny in ÖBB's catering services, outsourced to subcontractors, where the vida union in 2012 criticized exploitative conditions affecting over 50% of staff governed by Hungarian labor law rather than Austrian standards. Reported issues included monthly wages as low as €450–€600, mandatory high-heeled shoes for female employees posing safety risks, and inadequate protections, prompting calls for ÖBB to intervene in vendor contracts. While not directly attributable to Kern's core rail operations, these complaints underscored broader concerns about accountability in subsidiary management and the ripple effects of on worker welfare.

Political career

Rise within the SPÖ and chancellorship ascension

Christian Kern, a member of the (SPÖ) since his youth, began his involvement in party affairs through communications roles in the . From 1994 to 1997, he served as chief of office and spokesman for SPÖ parliamentary group leader Sepp Kostelka. After transitioning to the , Kern maintained ties to the SPÖ but focused primarily on corporate leadership until 2016. The SPÖ faced a leadership following Werner Faymann's abrupt resignation on May 9, 2016, triggered by an internal party revolt over the Social Democrats' poor showing in the first round of the Austrian , where SPÖ candidate Rudolf Hundstorfer received just 11 percent of the vote. Faymann's exit stemmed from broader discontent with his handling of the European migrant and declining party popularity, prompting the SPÖ executive to seek a capable outsider to stabilize the organization. Kern, then CEO of (ÖBB), emerged as the consensus choice due to his reputation for managerial efficiency and perceived distance from the party's recent scandals. On May 12, 2016, after endorsement by interim SPÖ leader and Mayor Michael Häupl, Kern was nominated as the party's new chairman and chancellor designate. He was sworn in as chancellor on May 17, 2016, by interim President , inheriting the grand coalition with the (ÖVP) and pledging continuity in governance amid political turbulence. At the SPÖ party congress on June 18, 2016, Kern was formally elected party chairman with 97 percent of the delegate vote, solidifying his and marking his rapid ascent from corporate executive to . This transition reflected the party's strategy to leverage Kern's technocratic credentials to rebuild public trust, though it also highlighted internal divisions favoring renewal over continuity with Faymann-era figures.

Domestic policy initiatives and economic measures

Upon assuming the chancellorship on , 2016, Christian Kern prioritized economic revitalization through a proposed "" emphasizing public-private partnerships to stimulate investment in key sectors such as machinery, automotive, and energy, aiming to foster growth amid stagnant productivity. This initiative sought to leverage market mechanisms while addressing Austria's faltering economic momentum, with Kern pledging the creation of 200,000 jobs by reducing regulatory burdens and opposing agreements like TTIP and CETA that could disadvantage domestic industries. In September 2016, he further advocated curbing incentives for foreign firms to prioritize Austrian employment and combat profit shifting, including a proposed punitive exceeding 25% on companies registering Austrian-generated profits abroad. The cornerstone of Kern's domestic agenda was the "Plan A for Austria," unveiled on January 11, 2017, as a 145-page, decade-long strategy for , , , and modernization. Key economic measures included slashing non-wage labor costs to boost hiring, streamlining bureaucracy to attract investment, and establishing a €1,500 monthly for full-time workers via expanded , targeting the roughly 7% of employees in uncovered sectors. These reforms, negotiated into a January 2017 grand coalition accord with the ÖVP to stabilize the , focused on sustainable gains without exacerbating Austria's deficit, which hovered around 1% of GDP at the time. Kern's policies also addressed labor market distortions by prioritizing Austrian nationals for jobs and pushing EU-level reforms on posted workers to curb social dumping, reflecting a pragmatic response to rising FPÖ support driven by economic anxieties. While implementation was constrained by the coalition's short tenure and impending elections, these measures marked a shift toward supply-side incentives within a social-democratic framework, with early indicators showing modest job growth in targeted areas before the government's dissolution in December 2017.

Foreign policy and EU relations

As Austrian from May 2016 to December 2017, Christian Kern pursued a emphasizing deepened integration and reform to address internal challenges like welfare systems and , while maintaining Austria's traditional neutrality. He advocated for a "clear reform process" in the to boost economies, reduce , and improve working conditions, warning that unresolved issues could lead to the "slow goodbye of the European idea." In joint statements with German Foreign Minister , Kern stressed the need for EU member states to "close ranks" amid external pressures, including and U.S. policy shifts, to ensure stability and . Regarding , Kern expressed no fear of a "" on other member states but acknowledged that the UK's departure would diminish Europe's global status and influence. He became the first European leader to publicly propose that Britain pay approximately €60 billion in exit contributions, framing it as necessary for orderly negotiations. Kern criticized excessive regulation under institutions, aligning with broader calls for efficiency without undermining the bloc's core principles. Kern took a firm stance against Turkey's EU accession, declaring in July 2017 that the bloc "could never in a lifetime" absorb Turkey's economic scale and that it was "simply not a ." Amid rising tensions following the , he called for an EU-wide ban on campaign appearances by Turkish politicians in member states to prevent interference in domestic affairs, citing events in as evidence of organized provocation. This reflected Austria's broader concerns over migration, security, and Erdoğan's authoritarian drift, which strained bilateral ties. On and , Kern emphasized unified EU-U.S. action to resolve the conflict, prioritizing and sanctions enforcement in line with common interests. He critiqued U.S. President Trump's January 2017 travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries as "highly problematic," aligning with EU leaders' pushback against perceived unilateralism. Overall, Kern's approach reinforced transatlantic cooperation where aligned with EU goals but prioritized within the bloc to counter populist and external disruptions.

2017 election campaign and government collapse

The grand under Kern faced mounting internal tensions throughout early 2017, exacerbated by policy disagreements on economic reforms and migration, which nearly led to its dissolution in before a temporary agreement on an 18-month agenda was reached between SPÖ and ÖVP leaders. Further strains emerged in May 2017 when ÖVP Vice-Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner resigned amid criticism of the coalition's performance, paving the way for to assume ÖVP leadership and advocate for snap elections to capitalize on public discontent with the . These developments culminated in President dissolving parliament on May 26, 2017, and scheduling legislative elections for October 15, 2017, ending the Kern government's mandate prematurely. During the campaign, Kern positioned the SPÖ as a defender of social welfare, labor rights, and EU integration, contrasting it with Kurz's rebranded ÖVP, which adopted a "turquoise" centrist image emphasizing stricter migration controls, tax cuts, and administrative efficiency to appeal to younger voters disillusioned with established parties. The SPÖ's platform highlighted achievements like economic growth and job creation under Kern's tenure but struggled against ÖVP's polling surge and the FPÖ's nationalist messaging. A major scandal erupted on October 5, 2017, when investigative reports revealed anonymous websites spreading antisemitic, xenophobic, and conspiratorial attacks on Kurz, allegedly commissioned by a former Kern adviser and linked to SPÖ operatives; Kern denied any involvement or prior knowledge, but the affair damaged the SPÖ's credibility in the campaign's final weeks. In the October 15, 2017, elections, the ÖVP secured 31.5% of the vote and 62 seats in the National Council, while the SPÖ obtained 26.9% and 52 seats, marking a decline from its previous standing and reflecting voter shift toward Kurz's reformist appeal. The FPÖ's strong 26.0% finish positioned it as a kingmaker, leading Kurz to initiate coalition talks with that party rather than renewing the grand coalition with SPÖ. Negotiations concluded successfully by December 2017, with the ÖVP-FPÖ agreement forming a new government under Chancellor Kurz on December 18, 2017, thereby dissolving the Kern cabinet after 19 months in office. Kern stepped down as SPÖ leader in advance of the coalition's finalization, acknowledging the electoral defeat and transitioning the party to opposition status.

Major controversies

2017 smear campaign scandal

In September 2017, ahead of the October 15 Austrian , Austrian media outlet Profil revealed the existence of fake websites and pages, such as "The Truth About ," that disseminated unsubstantiated allegations, manipulated images, and conspiracy theories targeting , the ÖVP leader and foreign minister. The content accused Kurz of ties to , support for unchecked immigration, and included xenophobic and antisemitic elements, such as Photoshopped images linking him to Nazi symbols. The campaign was traced to Tal Silberstein, an Israeli political consultant who had been hired by the SPÖ in early 2017 but dismissed on August 14 amid an Israeli investigation. Georg Niedermühlbichler, SPÖ general secretary and campaign manager under Christian Kern, resigned on , 2017, after the revelations implicated SPÖ-affiliated operatives in funding and directing the effort. The ÖVP had previously requested remove the pages in July 2017, but they persisted until the scandal's exposure. Kern publicly denied any personal knowledge or involvement, describing the tactics as "amoral and incredibly stupid" during a on October 1, 2017, and pledged a full party investigation into connections with the sites. The SPÖ filed lawsuits against unknown operators for libel and media violations, while urging to disclose page administrators' identities. Kern issued a formal apology on , acknowledging the campaign's inappropriateness. The affair eroded SPÖ's credibility in the election's final weeks, contributing to their poor performance, with the ÖVP securing victory and Kurz becoming . The ÖVP called for a federal prosecution probe, amid counter-claims of inducements offered to Silberstein's associates. No charges were filed directly against Kern, though the highlighted internal SPÖ campaign mismanagement.

Handling of migration and border policies

During his chancellorship from May 2016 to 2017, Christian Kern oversaw a tightening of Austria's migration policies amid the ongoing European refugee crisis, which had peaked with over 90,000 asylum applications in 2015. The government reinstated temporary controls with neighboring states following the de facto closure of the Western Balkan route in early 2016, a measure continued throughout Kern's tenure to manage inflows until external borders were deemed secure. Asylum applications fell sharply to 42,073 in 2016, primarily from , , and , reflecting reduced transit migration and enhanced screening at . Kern's administration prepared for potential border fortifications, including fences along the Slovenian and Hungarian frontiers in 2016, to enforce an upper limit of 37,500 asylum seekers entering the system that year, though implementation emphasized deterrence over outright rejection. Internally, the coalition faced divisions, with Kern resisting immediate adoption of stricter asylum rules proposed by partners, prioritizing coordination while advocating for development aid to origin countries to curb outflows. Externally, Kern pledged cooperation with on management during a June 2016 meeting with , but criticized non-compliant states, calling in 2017 for reduced subsidies to those refusing quota relocations. Austria under Kern sought exemption from the 's mandatory relocation scheme in March 2017, arguing it had exceeded its proportional share with over 1% of its population seeking asylum in 2015 alone; the rejected this, insisting on compliance. Kern avoided escalatory measures, such as deploying troops to the Italian border amid 2017 tensions, opting instead for bilateral assurances of no immediate controls. He urged a dedicated migration commissioner with full responsibility and emphasized European control over flows to prevent reliance on smugglers, while deeming external bans like the U.S. travel restriction under President Trump "highly problematic." These policies contributed to sustained declines in applications—around 39,600 from January to November 2016—but drew criticism for insufficient firmness, influencing the immigration-focused 2017 election dynamics that ended Kern's government.

Energy sector dependencies and Nord Stream advocacy

Austria's energy sector during Christian Kern's chancellorship (May 2016 to May 2017) was heavily dependent on Russian , which supplied the majority of the country's imports, often exceeding 70-80% of total consumption in the preceding years, routed primarily through pipelines transiting and other Eastern European states. This reliance stemmed from long-term contracts dating back decades, with Austrian firms like holding significant stakes in Russian projects, including a 2015 agreement where committed €1.5 billion to co-finance the pipeline alongside and other European partners. Kern's government viewed such ties as essential for supply stability, given Austria's limited domestic production and infrastructure constraints for alternatives like (LNG) terminals. Kern actively advocated for the project, a proposed twin system designed to double capacity from to under the , bypassing existing transit routes through and . In June 2017, alongside German Foreign Minister , Kern co-authored a letter to U.S. congressional leaders opposing proposed sanctions (the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) that would penalize European companies involved in the 's construction. The letter described the measures as "illegal extraterritorial sanctions" interfering in Europe's and aimed at promoting U.S. LNG exports at the expense of Russian gas, asserting that the sought "to sell American and to end the supply of Russian to the European market." Kern emphasized that European firms, including , should not face penalties for pursuing diversified supply routes deemed necessary for economic competitiveness and reliability. This stance drew criticism for potentially deepening Europe's vulnerability to Russian leverage, as would increase direct gas flows from —Russia's state-controlled exporter—while reducing transit revenues for and Eastern neighbors, thereby enhancing Moscow's geopolitical influence over Central European markets. Supporters, including Kern, countered that the aligned with goals of secure, affordable energy, independent of U.S. policy pressures, and that sanctions risked harming allied without addressing underlying market dynamics. Despite these efforts, the U.S. enacted the sanctions in August 2017, though enforcement was later adjusted, and proceeded to completion in 2021 before its in 2022. Kern's advocacy reflected Austria's broader pro-engagement approach toward , prioritizing commercial energy ties over rapid diversification amid stable pre-2022 supply conditions.

Post-political engagements

Return to corporate leadership

Following his resignation as chairman of the (SPÖ) on October 25, 2018, Kern announced his departure from active politics to resume a career in the , leveraging his prior executive experience in rail and energy. In July 2019, Kern joined the board of directors of (RZD), the state-owned operator, as an , a position that drew scrutiny due to Austria's EU membership and Russia's geopolitical tensions, though Kern emphasized his role focused on operational expertise from his ÖBB tenure. He resigned from the board on February 25, 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion of , amid broader Western corporate exits from Russian entities. In September 2022, Kern was appointed chief executive officer of , a Vienna-based rail fleet leasing firm jointly owned by and , marking a return to the European rail industry where he had previously led from 2010 to 2016. Under his leadership, ELL has pursued fleet modernization and expansion, including a December 2023 framework agreement with for up to 100 Vectron multisystem locomotives to enhance cross-border freight capabilities. The company also received certification as a "Great Place to Work" in April 2025, with Kern highlighting its focus on innovation in sustainable rail logistics.

International advisory and board roles

Following his resignation as leader of the in 2018, Christian Kern joined the board of directors of (RZD), the state-owned operator of 's rail network, as an in July 2019. This appointment drew attention given Austria's historically close ties to under Kern's prior chancellorship, including advocacy for energy projects like , though Kern emphasized his role focused on operational expertise from his tenure. Kern resigned from the RZD board on February 25, 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of , stating he had informed the company of his immediate departure that morning. His tenure lasted approximately two and a half years, during which he participated in strategic oversight of one of the world's largest rail systems, spanning over 85,000 kilometers of track. Kern serves on the of the International Railway Summit, an annual industry forum organized by Edge Media that convenes global rail executives to discuss , , and operations. His involvement, listed as of the 2025 summit in , leverages his experience as former CEO and chancellor to provide guidance on European and international rail challenges.

Involvement in non-profits and think tanks

Following his tenure as , Christian Kern assumed the presidency of the European Council in 2019, a non-profit organization representing over 170 European companies engaged in trade and investment with , advocating for improved market access and regulatory alignment. In this role, he has emphasized balanced economic partnerships amid geopolitical tensions, drawing on his prior experience in 's and sectors. In 2022, Kern co-founded Global Neighbours, a Vienna-based dedicated to bridging economic, political, and societal ties between , , and other regions, with a focus on multilateral dialogue and cooperation. As its president, he has led initiatives such as engagements with Chinese academic networks and discussions on EU-China stability, positioning the organization as a platform for pragmatic international . These engagements reflect Kern's post-political emphasis on transcontinental economic realism over ideological confrontation.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Christian Kern was first married to Karin Wessely, a and former local SPÖ politician in , from 1985 until their around 1988. The couple had three sons together, with Kern raising his eldest son alone for several years after becoming a father at age 22. One of the sons is Nikolaus Kern. In his second marriage, Kern wed Eveline Steinberger-Kern, an entrepreneur specializing in emerging technologies such as AI and , around 2002. They had one daughter, Carla, born circa 2008. The marriage ended in separation in February 2022 after approximately 20 years, with the couple stating they would continue professional cooperation. No further public details on subsequent relationships have been confirmed.

Public persona and lifestyle


Christian Kern projects a public marked by , control, and professionalism, often described by associates as hardworking, well-read, and intelligent. His approach to leadership emphasizes broad networking across business, politics, and media, while maintaining a reserved demeanor with subordinates—firm yet understated. Kern's lifestyle centers on priorities and , having sacrificed social in his youth to focus on as a single father from age 22. He sustains fitness through disciplined routines of tennis, cycling, and jogging, frequently accompanied by music from or . A dedicated sports enthusiast, Kern plays football recreationally and harbors a lifelong passion for , where he serves on the club's Kuratorium and attained extraordinary membership status in February 2023. Culturally, he engages with theater and live music, including attendance at concerts like . Residing in Vienna's Neubau district, he values its verdant environment and progressive local governance.

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