Religion Lutheranism Role Austrian Politician | Name Ursula Plassnik Height 1.91 m | |
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Chancellor Wolfgang SchusselAlfred Gusenbauer Alma mater University of ViennaCollege of Europe Spouse Gerard Stoudmann (m. ?–2003) People also search for Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Georg Posch, Gerard Stoudmann, Eva Twaroch | ||
Ursula plassnik quotes
Ursula Plassnik (born 23 May 1956) is an Austrian diplomat and politician. She was Foreign Minister of Austria between October 2004 and December 2008.
Contents
- Ursula plassnik quotes
- Israeli FM meets Austrian FM Palestinian cabinet meet
- Early life and career
- As foreign minister
- Personal life
- References
Israeli FM meets Austrian FM; Palestinian cabinet meet
Early life and career
Plassnik is from the Austrian state of Carinthia and grew up in a social democratic family. She was born in Klagenfurt on 23 May 1956. From 1971 to 1972 she was an exchange student at the Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Virginia, United States. She received a law degree from the University of Vienna in 1978 and a postgraduate Certificate of Advanced European Studies (equivalent to a master's degree) from the College of Europe in Bruges, where she studied 1979–1980 (Salvador de Madariaga promotion). Subsequently, she worked in different positions in the Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs until 1997. Until that time she was considered to be politically neutral or even social-democratic.
On 1 July 1997 she was chosen by Wolfgang Schussel, who was Austrian vice-chancellor at that time, to become his cabinet chief. In 2000 she refused an offer to work for the Council of Europe in order to stay in Austria and help Wolfgang Schussel when he became Austrian Chancellor in a coalition government with the Austrian Freedom Party. She is considered to be a close friend and confidante to Schussel.
She remained cabinet chief in Schussel's government until 15 January 2004, when she became Austria's ambassador to Switzerland. Recently, Ursula Plassnik’s application for the position as secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has been vetoed by Turkey, because of her opposition to that country's bid to join the European Union.
As foreign minister
She was appointed foreign minister on 18 October 2004, and sworn in on 20 October succeeding Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who resigned to become a European commissioner. She joined the Austrian People's Party after receiving the offer to become foreign minister. On 2 December 2008 she was succeeded by Michael Spindelegger.
Personal life
Plassnik has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Georg Posch, who as social democrat became secretary general of the Austrian Parliament. Her second marriage was to Swiss diplomat Gerard Stoudmann. She stands out in public due to her height, at 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) tall.