Former Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Minister will take office at ICMPD in January
ICMPD’s governing body, the Steering Group, today announced that Michael Spindelegger has been elected as the new Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development. He will take office for 5 years in January 2016, when the term of Acting Director General Gabriela Abado expires.
In this leadership role, Spindelegger will define the strategic direction of this leading European migration organisation. On a day-to-day basis, he will have the full managerial responsibility for the International Organisation with headquarters in Vienna, a mission in Brussels and 7 field offices.
'After a thorough recruitment process, the Steering Group is very pleased to announce the appointment of such a highly qualified Director General' said Mr Ola Henrikson, Chair of ICMPD’s Steering Group. 'Mr Spindelegger has the ability to further ICMPD’s role in shaping policies and to support the organisation’s Member States in facing challenges and seizing opportunities that migration offers.'
'I have always admired ICMPD for the holistic policy approach it takes to migration, its expertise and capacity to innovate, and I am honoured to lead this organisation' said Spindelegger. 'ICMPD has an excellent reputation as a facilitator of multilateral cooperation. During my term, I will work towards strengthening its role as a member-driven International Organisation and as a think tank developing suitable tools for practical and effective migration management.'
Mr Spindelegger looks back at an exceptional political career in Austria. While in office as Vice-Chancellor from 2011 to 2014, he also served as Minister of Finance and Minister of European and International Affairs. Before joining the government in 2008, Spindelegger was the Second President of the Austrian Parliament. He had been elected as a member of the “Nationalrat” in 1993 for the People’s Party (ÖVP). Mr Spindelegger was also a Member of the European Parliament for two years. He currently manages a consultancy firm.
Born in 1959 in Mödling, Austria, Michael Spindelegger holds a doctorate in law from the University of Vienna.