Franz Muhri

Franz Muhri (1924–2001) was a politician who headed the Communist Party of Austria between 1965 and 1990.

Early life and education Muhri was born in Steyregg, Upper Austria, on 21 October 1924.

Career and activities

Muhri worked as a construction worker in Graz until 1942 when he was drafted into the army, but he escaped from the city and went underground in western Styria until the end of World War II.

Muhri was elected as the chairman of the party in 1965 succeeding Johann Koplenig in the post. He retired from politics the same year. However, he began to collaborate with the conservative group within the party from the 21st Party Congress in May 1970. He argued in his speech at the European Communist Parties Conference held in East Berlin in June 1976 that the Soviet Union was the most powerful socialist state and a major drive for peace.

The Communist Party under the leadership of Muhri did not endorse the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the Soviet Union in 1968. He himself stated that the invasion was harmful to the entire communist movement. However, the party adopted a much more hard line approach from 1970.

Personal life, work and death Muhri had a daughter.

Muhri died of cancer in Vienna on 7 September 2001 at the age of 76.