RENNER, Karl (Renner Karl)

(1870-1950)
Born December 14, 1870 in Untertannovitse in Bohemia. He studied law in Vienna, made a living by giving private lessons, was a librarian. In 1907, Renner was elected a member Reichsrat, became the leader of the Social Democratic Party. (After 1917, he pushed the more radical wing, led by Otto Bauer, who has rejected the concept of Renner of a multinational state.) Thanks Renner in 1918 was made the country's peaceful transition to a republican form of government. In November 1918, Renner became chancellor and head of the State Council in the interim government, and then in a coalition government (March 1919 - June 1920). After leaving the Social Democrats in opposition was in the shadow of his more powerful opponent Bauer, but remained leader of the right wing. In 1930 he was elected chairman of the National Council - the lower house of the last election of the Austrian parliament, dissolved in 1933, Chancellor E. Dollfus. In 1938, Renner has supported the accession of Austria to Germany (Anschluss). In 1945 Austria joined the Soviet troops, and Renner was asked to form a temporary administration. The first National Council restored the republic elected him president of the Republic of Austria on Dec. 20, 1945. Renner died in Dobline December 31, 1950.