Leopold Figl (October 2 1902 in Rust , Lower Austria, - May 9 1965 in Vienna) was an Austrian politician of the ÖVP (Christian Democrats).

After graduation (Dipl.-Ing. of Agriculture), he became vice chair of the Lower Austrian Bauernbund (peasants, 1931) and 1933 the chairman.

After the authoritarian revolution of Engelbert Dollfuss, Figl went over to the federal economics policy and to the paramilitary organisation of Ostmärkische Sturmscharen.

After the "Anschluss", the Nazi deported Figl in 1938 to the KZ Dachau until May 1943. Now he worked as oil engineer, but in October 1944 he was again arrested (KZ Mauthausen); February 1945 capital sentence in Vienna for "high treason".

After the defeat of the Nazis, the Allies occupied Austria at the end of World War II. The Russian Military Commander tells Figl to manage the foodstuffs for the Viennese population. To start cooperation with the other parties, Figl decided in April 1945 to re-found the Bauernbund. At the foundation of the Peoples Party (ÖVP), Figl was elected vice chair. On April 27 he becomes interim Governor of Lower Austria and Vice-minister.

At the first free elections after 1934, December 1945, the ÖVP won an absolute majority. Leopold Figl was proposed Chancellor; the Soviets agree for his opposition against the Nazi and his management qualities. He is very popular - shown by a lot of jokes, e.g. concerning "wine policy" with USA and the "Russian bear". From 1945 till 1966 a grand coalition between his own party and the Socialists (SPÖ) was able to solve the heavy economical and social problems of the destroyed country. The Marshall Plan of the USA was a great help.

After internal criticism Figl resigned on November 26 1953. His successor Julius Raab was less flexible against the SPÖ, but is the Chancellor when Austria becomes fully independent in Mai 1955 . Figl was mainly responsible for these topics, as a Secretary of State ([1]).

The national elections of 1959 changed the parliament seats of ÖVP and SPÖ to almost 1:1, so Bruno Kreisky succeeded Figl for Foreign Policy. Figl became parliament president, but soon he returned to Lower Austria, to be Governor of his home country. He died 1965 in Vienna.