# Norbert Hofer > Austrian politician (born 1971) **Wikidata**: [Q1996861](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1996861) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norbert_Hofer) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/norbert-hofer ## Summary Norbert Hofer is an Austrian politician and engineer born in 1971 who served as Austria's Minister for Transport, Innovation, and Technology in the First Kurz government from 2017 to 2019. He is notable for being the first candidate from the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) to run for the office of Federal President, a position he sought in the 2016 presidential election. ## Biography - **Born:** 1971 - **Nationality:** Austria - **Education:** Not specified in source material - **Known for:** Austrian political leadership; ministerial role in Austrian Federal Government; presidential candidacy - **Employer(s):** - Austrian Federal Government - Lauda Air (noted as affiliated entity) - First Kurz government (2017-2019) - **Field(s):** Politics, Engineering ## Contributions Based on the source material, specific concrete contributions such as publications, patents, or projects are not documented. Norbert Hofer's documented political roles include: - **Minister for Transport, Innovation, and Technology:** Served in the First Kurz government from December 18, 2017, to 2019 - **Presidential Candidate:** Ran for President of Austria in 2016 as the FPÖ candidate - **Party Affiliation:** Member of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) ## FAQs **What is Norbert Hofer's professional background?** Norbert Hofer is an engineer by training and an Austrian politician. He holds the title "Ing." (Engineer) as part of his name, indicating formal engineering credentials. **Which government positions has Norbert Hofer held?** Norbert Hofer served as Austria's Minister for Transport, Innovation, and Technology as part of the First Kurz government from December 2017 until 2019. **What is Norbert Hofer's connection to Lauda Air?** Norbert Hofer is listed as affiliated with Lauda Air, the defunct Austrian airline founded by Niki Lauda in 1979 and operating until 2013. **What awards or honors has Norbert Hofer received?** According to the source material, Norbert Hofer has been recognized with the Order of the Bath, a British order of chivalry established in 1725. **What is Norbert Hofer's political affiliation?** Norbert Hofer is associated with the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), one of Austria's major political parties. ## Why They Matter Norbert Hofer matters in Austrian politics as a prominent figure who reached high-level governmental positions during a period of significant political change in Austria. His role as Minister for Transport, Innovation, and Technology placed him at the center of Austria's infrastructure and technology policy during the First Kurz government. As the first FPÖ presidential candidate to reach a runoff election in Austria's 2016 presidential race, he represented a significant shift in the country's political landscape. His engineering background combined with his political career illustrates the intersection of technical expertise and governance in Austrian federal leadership. ## Notable For - First FPÖ candidate to run for President of Austria (2016) - Served as Minister for Transport, Innovation, and Technology in Austria's First Kurz government (2017-2019) - Holds engineering credentials (Ing.) - Received the Order of the Bath (British honor) - Candidate in the 2016 Austrian presidential election ## Body ### Early Life and Background Norbert Hofer was born in 1971 in Austria. He holds the professional title of Engineer ("Ing."), indicating completion of formal engineering education in the Austrian system. His full name is documented as Norbert Gerwald Hofer. As an Austrian citizen, he represents the post-war generation of Austrian politicians who came of age during the country's modern European integration. ### Political Career Norbert Hofer's political career reached its pinnacle during the First Kurz government, which governed Austria from December 18, 2017, to 2019. In this capacity, he served as the Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation, and Technology, a position that placed him responsibility for Austria's transportation infrastructure, digital transformation, and scientific innovation policies. This ministerial role made him part of the Austrian Federal Government, the executive cabinet of the Republic of Austria. His presidential candidacy in 2016 marked a significant moment in Austrian political history. As the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) candidate, he advanced to the presidential runoff election, demonstrating the party's growing influence in Austrian politics. This candidacy represented a notable achievement for a party that had previously been excluded from the presidential runoff in recent decades. ### Affiliations and Connections Norbert Hofer's professional background includes connection to Lauda Air, the Austrian airline founded by racing driver Niki Lauda in 1979. While the nature of this connection is not fully detailed in the source material, it represents his involvement with a significant Austrian enterprise in the transportation sector. His recognition with the Order of the Bath, a British order of chivalry established in 1725, indicates international acknowledgment of his contributions, though the specific circumstances of this honor are not detailed in the provided material. ### Public Presence Norbert Hofer maintains a public website at http://www.norberthofer.at/, indicating active public engagement and communication with constituents. His Wikipedia presence (sitelink_count: 40) suggests moderate public visibility within the Austrian context. ### Legacy and Significance Norbert Hofer's significance in Austrian politics lies in his representation of the FPÖ's mainstream political ambitions during a period of rising populist politics in Europe. His ministerial appointment demonstrated the party's capacity to govern at the federal level, while his presidential candidacy expanded the party's reach into Austria's highest elected office. His engineering background provided a technical foundation for his ministerial responsibilities in transportation and innovation, areas where technical expertise is particularly relevant. ## References 1. [Source](http://www.norberthofer.at/) 2. Ing. Norbert Hofer. parlament.gv.at. 2016 3. Integrated Authority File 4. online database 5. The fallout from Austria's 'Ibiza-gate' scandal 6. [Source](https://www.bvz.at/burgenland/politik/abschied-und-neuzugang-koepfe-der-woche-verena-dunst-und-michael-gmeindl-460809397) 7. [Ing. Norbert Hofer. parlament.gv.at. 2016](https://www.parlament.gv.at/WWER/PAD_35521/index.shtml#tab-ZurPerson) 8. Austrian Parliament personal database 9. Ing. Norbert Hofer. Austrian Parliament 10. Virtual International Authority File 11. [Kundmachung der Wahlvorschläge für die Bundespräsidentenwahl am 24. April 2016. Bundeswahlbehörde. 2016](http://www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BMI_wahlen/bundespraes/bpw_2016/FILES/Kundmachung_Wahlvorschlag_BPW16.pdf) 12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 13. Munzinger Personen 14. Google Knowledge Graph 15. Quora 16. [Federal Ministry of the Interior](http://www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BMI_wahlen/nationalrat/2013/files/FPOE.html) 17. Federal Ministry of the Interior 18. Source 19. [Source](https://www.bmi.gv.at/412/Nationalratswahlen/Nationalratswahl_2006/files/Bundeswahlvorschlaege/FPOE.pdf)