Claudia Arpa (born 12 November 1967) is an Austrian politician who was President of the country's Federal Council from 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023.

Early life and education

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Arpa was born on 12 November 1967 in Waiern in Carinthia, the third of four children.[1] She attended Gnesau elementary school and Feldkirchen secondary school, graduating in 1982.[2] She undertook further studies in economics in Villach. In 1993, she graduated with teaching degrees in psychology, geography and economics from Karl Franzens University in Graz.[2] She has completed postgraduate studies in environmental protection at the Technical University of Graz and in social management at the Institute for Education in the Health Service.[2]

Career

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Arpa worked in management at an Integration Service and the Wolfsburg State Welfare Association, before becoming managing director of the Lavanttal Women's Shelter in 2019.[2] She also ran her own language learning company.[3]

Arpa has been involved in various committees of the Social Democratic Party of Austria.[2] From 2015, she was a member of the municipal council of Frantschach-Sankt Gertraud and on 21 March 2021 she was elected Vice Mayor of the town.[1][2][3] In April 2018, she was elected to the Carinthian State Parliament.[4] In November 2021, she was unanimously elected Chair of SPO women in Wolfsberg District.[5]

Arpa became a member of the Federal Council in April 2023, delegated by the Carinthian state parliament, and was elected President on 1 July 2023.[6]

Personal life

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Arpa is married and has three daughters.[1][2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Orasche, Kristina (27 February 2018). "Claudia Arpa: "Mein Ziel ist, dass Kärntens Landeshauptmann wieder Peter Kaiser heißt"" (in German). MeinBeizirk. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Mag.a Claudia Arpa (aktiv)" (in German). Parliament of Austria.
  3. ^ a b "Mag.a Claudia Arpa" (in German). Meine Abgeordneten. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  4. ^ "SPÖ stark in Landtag und Bundesrat" (in German). Kaernten. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Claudia Arpa neue Vorsitzende der Bezirksfrauen" (in German). Klick Karnten. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Mag.a Claudia Arpa (aktiv)". Parliament of Austria. Retrieved 31 August 2023.