The Social Democratic Party of Austria (German: Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs, SPÖ) is one of the oldest political parties in Austria. The SPÖ, which is among the few mainstream European social-democratic parties that have preserved their socialist roots and reject neoliberalism, is a member of the Socialist International and Party of European Socialists. Before adopting the current title in 1991, the SPÖ was named Social Democratic Workers' Party of Austria (Sozialdemokratische Arbeiterpartei Österreichs, SDAPÖ) from 1888 to 1945 and, later, Socialist Party of Austria (Sozialistische Partei Österreichs) until 1991.
The SPÖ is one of the two major parties in Austria, and has ties to the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) and the Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK). The party currently governs the country as the larger partner in a coalition with the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), with SPÖ leader Werner Faymann serving as Chancellor.
Read more about Social Democratic Party Of Austria: New Role As Opposition Party and Return To Power, Party Chairmen Since 1945, Select List of Other SPÖ Politicians, Minority Factions
Famous quotes containing the words social, democratic, party and/or austria:
“Friends serve central functions for children that parents do not, and they play a critical role in shaping children’s social skills and their sense of identity. . . . The difference between a child with close friendships and a child who wants to make friends but is unable to can be the difference between a child who is happy and a child who is distressed in one large area of life.”
—Zick Rubin (20th century)
“No one can doubt the purpose for which the Nation now seeks to use the Democratic Party. It seeks to use it to interpret a change in its own plans and point of view.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)
“Death is hacking away at my address book and party lists.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“All the terrors of the French Republic, which held Austria in awe, were unable to command her diplomacy. But Napoleon sent to Vienna M. de Narbonne, one of the old noblesse, with the morals, manners, and name of that interest, saying, that it was indispensable to send to the old aristocracy of Europe men of the same connection, which, in fact, constitutes a sort of free- masonry. M. de Narbonne, in less than a fortnight, penetrated all the secrets of the imperial cabinet.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)