Social Democratic Party of Austria

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

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