Benita Ferrero-Waldner

Benita Ferrero-Waldner (born 5 September 1948) is the European Commissioner for Foreign Affairs and an Austrian diplomat and politician. She is a member of the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP).

Career

Born Benita Waldner in Salzburg, she took her Matura exams in 1966 and then studied law, receiving a doctorate from the University of Salzburg in 1970. Until 1983 she worked in the private sector. Only in 1984 did she enter the diplomatic service. One of her most influential positions was Chef de protocole for Secretary General Boutros-Ghali at the United Nations in New York.

Related Topics:
Salzburg - Matura - 1966 - Doctorate - University of Salzburg - 1970 - 1983 - 1984 - Secretary General - Boutros-Ghali - United Nations - New York

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From 1995 till 2000 she served as Staatssekretärin in two governments led by Social Democrats Franz Vranitzky and Viktor Klima. When Wolfgang Schüssel became Chancellor of Austria early in 2000 he made Ferrero-Waldner his Minister for Foreign Affairs, a position she held until October 2004, when she was succeeded by Ursula Plassnik.

Related Topics:
1995 - 2000 - Social Democrats - Franz Vranitzky - Viktor Klima - Wolfgang Schüssel - Chancellor of Austria - October 2004 - Ursula Plassnik

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After the G8-Summit in Genova (July 2001) Ferrero-Waldner was criticized because she did not help the imprisoned members of the Publixtheatre Caravan.

Related Topics:
G8-Summit - Genova - July 2001 - Publixtheatre Caravan

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In January 2004 it was announced that Ferrero-Waldner would run for Federal President to succeed Thomas Klestil in July 2004. Her candidature was supported by the Austrian People's Party; her only opponent was Heinz Fischer. However, she lost the

Related Topics:
January 2004 - Federal President - Thomas Klestil - Austrian People's Party - Heinz Fischer

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election on April 25.

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In late July 2004 Ferrero-Waldner was nominated the successor of Franz Fischler as Austria's European Commissioner. She took office on November 22. Her portfolio is Foreign Affairs and European Neighbourhood Policy.

Related Topics:
July 2004 - Franz Fischler - European Commissioner - November 22

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