Kurz, Sebastian, 1986–, Austrian politician, federal chancellor of Austria (2017–), b. Vienna. A member of the conservative People's party, he was active in the party's youth wing and became its leader (2009), served on Vienna's city council (2010–11), worked in the interior ministry as state secretary for integration (2011–13), was elected to parliament (2013), and served as foreign minister (2013–17). In 2017 he became the leader of the People's party. Taking a hard line on immigration in 2017 elections, he led his party to a parliamentary plurality, and became chancellor of a coalition government with the far-right Freedom party. A political scandal involving members of the Freedom party led to the collapse of his government in 2019, but after elections later in the year he became (Jan., 2020) chancellor of a People's party–Greens coalition government.
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