Heinz Fischer

Heinz Fischer GColIH, OMRI, RSerafO, GCollSE
Fischer in 2018
President of Austria
In office 8 July 2004 – 8 July 2016
Chancellor	Wolfgang Schüssel Alfred Gusenbauer Werner Faymann Christian Kern
Preceded by	Thomas Klestil
Succeeded by	Alexander Van der Bellen
Second President of the National Council
In office 20 December 2002 – 16 June 2004
Preceded by	Thomas Prinzhorn
Succeeded by	Barbara Prammer
President of the National Council
In office 5 November 1990 – 20 December 2002
Preceded by	Rudolf Pöder
Succeeded by	Andreas Khol
Minister of Science and Research
In office 24 May 1983 – 21 January 1987
Chancellor	Fred Sinowatz Franz Vranitzky
Preceded by	Hertha Firnberg
Succeeded by	Hans Tuppy
Personal details
Born	(1938-10-09) 9 October 1938 (age 85) Graz, Reichsgau Steiermark, State of Austria, German Reich (now Graz, Styria, Austria)
Political party	Independent (2004–present)
Other political affiliations	Social Democratic Party (until 2004)
Spouse	Margit Binder ​ (m. 1968)​
Children	2
Alma mater	University of Vienna (PhD)
Awards	Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Order of Prince Henry Royal Order of the Seraphim Military Order of Saint James of the Sword
Military service
Allegiance	Austria
Branch/service	Austrian Armed Forces
Years of service	1958
Unit	Heerestelegrafenbataillon Army Signal Corps

Heinz Fischer GColIH, OMRI, RSerafO, GCollSE (German pronunciation: [haɪnts ˈfɪʃɐ] ^ⓘ; born 9 October 1938) is a former Austrian politician who served as President of Austria from 2004 to 2016. Fischer previously served as minister of science from 1983 to 1987 and as president of the National Council of Austria from 1990 to 2002.^[1] A member of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) until 2004, he suspended his party membership as he became president.^[2][3][4]