Gusenbauer, Alfred

Gusenbauer, Alfred älˈfrĕd go͞osĕnbouˌər [key], 1960–, Austrian politician, grad. Univ. of Vienna (Ph.D. 1987). Active in the Social Democratic party from a young age, he was executive secretary (1981–1990) for Youth of the Social Democratic party and Austrian chairman (1984–90) of the Socialist Youth before first winning election to the Austrian parliament in 1991. In 2000 he became party leader of the Social Democrats, and led them in 2006 to win a plurality of seats in parliament. Forming a “grand coalition” with the conservative People's party out of necessity, Gusenbauer served chancellor of Austria (2007–8).

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