Kunschak, Leopold#
b. Vienna, Nov. 11, 1871, d. Vienna, March 13, 1953, assistant harnessmaker, Christian Socialist labour leader and politician. In 1892 founded the Christian Socialist Labour Federation, which he headed until 1934; established the newspaper "Die Freiheit" in 1896. 1904-1934 member of the Vienna City Council, 1907-1911 member of the Reichsrat, 1913-1919 member of the Lower Austrian Landtag, 1919-1920 member of the Constituent National Assembly, 1920-1934 member of the Nationalrat. 1920-1921 Chairman of the leadership of the Christian Socialist Reichspartei (advocated union with Germany). As a democrat opposed the Christian Socialist Heimwehr (para-military force) and the authoritarian policies of Chancellor Dollfuss. Tried to mediate between the opposing parties before the Uprising, February 1934. Together with K. Renner and others signed the proclamation re-establishing Austria as a democratic republic on April 27, 1945; 1945 was a co-founder of the OeVP (Austrian People's Party) and deputy mayor of Vienna. 1945-1953 member and 1st President of the Nationalrat. A Kunschak endowment fund was established in 1965. - On Feb. 11, 1913, L.K.'s brother Paul K. shot F. Schuhmeier, a Social Democratic member of the Reichsrat.
Publications#
Arbeiterfrage und Christentum, 1905; Volkstum und Arbeiterschaft, 1928; Oe. 1918-1934, 1934; Steinchen vom Wege, 1937.Literature#
F. Bauer, L. K. als Politiker, doctoral thesis, Vienna 1950; F. Stamprech, L. K., 1950; G. Blenk, L. K. und seine Zeit, 1966; A. Pelinka, Stand oder Klasse, 1972; Politik fuer den Menschen - 15 Jahre L.-K.-Preis, 1980; L. Reichhold, L. K., 1988.