Austrian politician; first president of the Republic of Austria.

Career Summary

Michael Hainisch was elected the first president of the Republic of Austria after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1918, serving for two terms, from 1920 to 1928. Despite encouragement, he declined to serve for a third term. He was not affiliated to any of the current political parties.

Having owned estates and, in addition to having practised as a lawyer, been a farmer before his elevation, he was prominent in developing the agricultural sector in Austria, encouraged the electrification of the railway system, and tried to develop tourism, especially in the Alps. He supported pan-German ideas, and was later a supporter of the annexation of Austria in 1938.

Hainisch and the Schenker circle

Michael Hainisch is mentioned several times in Schenker’s diary between 1919 and 1931. On March 3, 1928, Hanna and Otto Erich Deutsch had to cancel a visit to the Schenkers because of an invitation ot have tea with President Hainisch on March 7.

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