Because the Constitutional Court docket, of which Bierlein was a member for round 16 years, introduced, she succumbed to a brief, severe sickness a couple of weeks earlier than her seventy fifth birthday. Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) praised Bierlein for taking over duty out of affection for her homeland throughout a tough section: “Our nation owes her an excessive amount of gratitude.”
After serving as Legal professional Common within the Workplace of the Legal professional Common, the profession lawyer was Vice President of the Constitutional Court docket from 2003 to 2018 and President of the Constitutional Court docket from February 2018 till her appointment as Federal Chancellor on June 3, 2019. On behalf of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, she led Austria into new elections with out a lot fanfare after the turmoil of the Ibiza scandal. After that, she basically ended her public profession.
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen was deeply affected by Bierleins Demise. “She served the Republic faithfully in lots of features. As guardian of our structure and likewise as the primary feminine Chancellor,” he pressured: “I’ve Brigitte Small beer as a brave, disciplined girl who took on duty when her nation wanted her. She’s going to proceed to be a job mannequin for a lot of women and girls, for all of us, sooner or later.”
Austrian flag at half-mast
Chancellor Nehammer expressed his shock. With Small beer Austria is dropping an impressive character and pioneer who had a decisive affect on the republic for generations: “In a tough time, she didn’t hesitate to tackle duty as a way to serve the republic and the individuals of our nation.” The Austrian flag on the roof of the Federal Chancellery was lowered to half-mast.
Vice Chancellor and Inexperienced Celebration chief Werner Kogler described the deceased as a pioneer in lots of respects: “With competence and objectivity, she led her workplace responsibly in a politically turbulent section.” Decrease Austria’s governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP), presently chairwoman of the State Governors’ Convention, named Small beer a “nice and spectacular character”. Different state governors additionally expressed their condolences.
A tragic day for Austria
Bierleins Chancellor predecessors and successors Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) additionally spoke up. Small beer He defined that he had ensured stability in Austria with a gentle hand throughout a turbulent time and had beforehand formed the work of the Constitutional Court docket for a few years.
SPÖ Chief Andreas Babler pressured that Austria is dropping Small beer a dedicated lawyer and extremely revered character who didn’t hesitate to tackle duty in probably the most severe crises of the Second Republic after the abrupt finish of the black-blue federal authorities. FPÖ chief Herbert Kickl praised her as a “nice character, lawyer and politician”. NEOS chief Beate Meinl-Reisinger spoke of a “unhappy day for Austria” and known as Small beer as the primary feminine Chancellor, “a job mannequin for a lot of”.
By President of the Constitutional Court docket Christoph Grabenwarter It was stated that the Constitutional Court docket was dropping an neutral former president and a extremely revered particular person, and that Austria was dropping a decided advocate of the rule of regulation.
Picture gallery: Brigitte Bierlein: Her life in footage
(Picture: JOHN THYS (AFP)) Bild 1/8
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Along with her skilled duties, Bierlein labored for many years within the public prosecutor’s workplace, within the Unbiased Sufferer Safety Fee towards Abuse and Violence, and as chairwoman of the supervisory board of the Federal Theater Holding and the board of trustees of the Discussion board Verfassung Basis.
Legislation & Order
Politically, Bierlein, who as a public prosecutor was stated to have a sure tendency in the direction of regulation and order, was extra more likely to be related to the conservative sector. Nevertheless, she was by no means a celebration member. When Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen appointed her Chancellor, there was applause from all sides. The six months through which she ran the federal government with none frills have been additionally spared from scandals.
The Viennese girl had no time for her household; she couldn’t have imagined balancing work and kids, Bierlein stated in interviews. Her long-time accomplice, choose Ernest Maurer, died in 2021.
Artwork and tradition
In her free time, Bierlein appreciated to go to vernissages and exhibitions, and – when time permitted – opera and theater. She additionally collected artwork, for instance she had a (Josef) Mikl hanging at dwelling. She was solely marginally concerned with tradition when she was appointed head of the particular fee to analyze the scandal on the Vienna Ballet Academy. Bierlein was additionally energetic within the Unbiased Sufferer Safety Fee towards Abuse and Violence.
