Johannes Hahn

 ( 1957 Births ) 

From 2003 to 2007 Hahn was a member of the Vienna regional government (without portfolio). Since 2004 Hahn has been Chairman of the Austrian People's Party in Vienna and, as such, was the party frontrunner in the October 2005 regional elections in which an increase in votes for the ÖVP (and a slight loss in votes for the FPÖ) made the ÖVP the second strongest party in the regional parliament, with 18 seats.

Amongst other things, in his work Hahn has placed a particular focus on improving public relations for people and institutions working in and around the fields of science and research. Numerous campaigns, events and projects have promoted "Children's University" projects, the "Sparkling Science" programme, the "Visibility Measures" to raise public awareness of the work done by women scientists, the Forte Coaching Programme, the "Long Night of Research", as well as various awards, such as the Wittgenstein Prize. Hahn's aim has been to bring more researchers into the public eye as, for example, he publicly called upon the Austrian Academy of Sciences to "come out of their ivory tower". Raus aus dem Elfenbeinturm Der Standard. 30 June 2009. Feuerwerke für die Forschung Der Standard. 5 February 2008

During Hahn's term of office, all graduates of degree programmes at Fachhochschulen were given equal status to their university graduate counterparts in the civil service Beamte: FH-Absolventen Akademikern gleichgestellt Die Presse 5 July 2007. and all students enrolled in Fachhochschule study programmes have been recognised as full members of the Austrian Students' Association (ÖH) since December 2007. ÖH-Wahl: Fachhochschulen feiern Premiere Die Presse 25 February 2009. In April 2008, Hahn announced the first ever budget increase (average of 13.7 per cent more per university place) in the history of Austrian Fachhochschulen. Bundesförderung: Mehr Geld für Fachhochschulen Die Presse 14 September 2008.

One of Hahn's aims has been to raise public awareness of the great number of successful women in science and research in Austria by means of the so-called "Visibility Measures" which were launched in 2008. This included media training, Wissenschaftlerin im Film: Nur mit strenger Frisur und Brille Die Presse 18 November 2008. a film script competition on the topic of women scientists, Drehbuchwettbewerb "Wissenschafterin im Film – dieangewandte.at Universität für Angewandte Kunst Wien. 17 March 2009. Wissenschafterinnen sichtbar machen CeiberWeiber – Frauen Online Magazin. 14 May 2009. the fForte Coaching Programme Coaching für Wissenschafterinnen Computerwelt. 16 June 2009. Pressedienst Parlament – Hahn: Keine Einsparungen im Wissenschafts- und Forschungsbericht Sitzung des Wissenschaftsausschusses. 18 February 2009. as well as the appointment of women scientists to management positionsSabine Ladstaetter, from Carinthia, was appointed the new director of the Austrian Archaeological Institute (ÖAI) and Irene Forstner-Mueller was appointed head of the Institute's Cairo branch and its excavations. Sabine Ladstätter und Irene Forstner-Müller für Österreichs Archäologie frauen-business.at – Das Wirtschaftsmagazin für Frauen. 1 October 2009.

In co-operation with Austrian booksellers, Hahn launched an initiative in autumn 2007 to select the best scientific book of the year. Gesucht: das beste Wissenschaftsbuch des Jahres ORF. 1 February 2008. Die Idee zur Aktion – Woche des Wissens . Retrieved 13 December 2009. Die Jury – Woche des Wissens . Retrieved 13 December 2009. In 2008 Hahn created the "Award of Excellence" for the best doctoral theses in Austria, as a way of recognising the work of young scientists and making the public more aware of their activities. Each of them received 2,500 euro in prize money. Nominations for these awards were made by the vice-chancellors of Austrian universities. Award of Excellence für 36 Dissertationen Der Standard. 2 December 2009. Neue Auszeichnung für Dissertationen Die Presse. 10 September 2009. Hahn has also continued the tradition of awarding the Wittgenstein Prize, a science prize with the highest money value in Austria (1.5 million euro), which attracts a great deal of media attention and is tied to research activities in the following six years. Zwei Weltspitzenforscher Der Standard. 19 October 2009. The Long Night of Research was re-introduced under Minister Hahn after an interval of several years as an important way to communicate enthusiasm for and information about research and to provide a platform on which researchers can show to the wider public their work and their commitment. Dritte lange Nacht der Forschung bricht alle Rekorde APA-OTS. 2 November 2009. Rekordbesuch bei Langer Nacht der Forschung Der Standard. 8 November 2009.

With Hahn as Minister of Science Austria finally become, on 1 July 2008, the 14th member of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), which astronomers had been calling for Austria to join for over thirty years. Astronomie: In den Süde, zu den Sternen Die Presse 23 April 2008. Hahn himself stated that joining ESO had been one of the most significant political decisions in the field of research for 20 years, from which not only astronomers but also physicists, mathematicians, software specialists and high-tech companies would benefit. Wissenschafter freuen sich über ESO-Beitritt Die Presse 24 April 2009. At the beginning of 2009, contracts had been formulated that will benefit Austrian scientists to the total amount of 5 million euro, Hochleistungsrechner für Wiener Astronomen Der Standard 21 January 2009. leading to a boom in the field of Austrian astronomy. Der Blick nach oben boomt Der Standard 2 July 2008.

Hahn also announced in May 2009, during a parliamentary sub-committee debate on the Austrian science and research budget for 2009 and 2010, that he wanted to end Austria's 50-year membership of CERN as of 2010 because the costs were too high (up to 70 per cent of the total Austrian resources available for membership of research associations go for the 16 million euro annual CERN membership fee). Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann publicly spoke out against a withdrawal from CERN. Faymann sagt Nein zum Ausstieg. Retrieved 18 May 2009 An actual withdrawal would have also required a decision of the National Council. Die Presse: Österreich steigt beim CERN aus (letzter Absatz). 7 May 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2009.

In addition to support for applied and economically oriented research in the field of climate research, Hahn has called for more resources for basic and adaptation research in Austria, which should be independent of financial interests and thus be sustainable. Klimaschutz: Mehr Grundlagenforschung gefordert Die Presse. 21 August 2009. During Hahn's term of office, student grants were increased in 2007 by 12 per cent (maximum monthly grant 679 euro). In 2008 the limit on the amount that anyone receiving a student grant could earn in addition to their grant was raised to 8000 euro; the parental income level was raised by 20 per cent; study grants for students with children were increased (i.e. by raising age limits and a supplementary payment of 720 euro for each child); there were improvements for disabled students, as well as mobility grantsa complete course of study abroad was financed for the first time. In 2009 there was an increase of 33 per cent in performance-related grants (i.e. a further 2 million euro, or 2,800 more grants). Reaktionen: ÖH zufrieden – Für SPÖ und Opposition zu wenig Der Standard 13 July 2007. Studienbeihilfen werden erhöht Der Standard 13 December 2007. Wissenschaftsminister präsentiert Modell: Absage an Blasmusik & Co Der Standard 2008-02-10. Wir fördern jährlich 300 neue Plätze Der Standard 19 December 2008. ÖH Uni Graz: Regelung rechtswidrig Der Standard 6 February 2009. Mehr Studienbeihilfe-Bezieher ab Herbst 2008 Die Presse 2007-10-22. Höhere Stipendien und Studienchecker Die Presse 28 September 2008.

Following uncertainty regarding the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) budget in spring 2009, in autumn of the same year Hahn proposed introducing legislation on research financing that would regulate by law the budget for state expenditure on research until 2020. Public expenditure on research and development would increase by 2.5 million to 5 million per year by 2020, thus building confidence and developing and consolidating Austria as a research location. Hahn: Forschung ist ein scheues Reh Der Standard 2009-08-27. Hahn particularly emphasised the importance of making a combined effort on all fronts, including the integration of educational policy, since education and training constitute the main pre-requisites of a competitive research location. Hahn wünscht sich breite Diskussion über Forschungsstrategie Der Standard 20 May 2009.

President Barroso appointed Hahn as European Commissioner for Regional Policy. Austria nominates johannes Hahn as commissioner Europolitics. 28 October 2009. Hahn's appointment to the European Commission meant that he had to resign his position as chairman of the Austrian People's Party in Vienna, as commissioners of Barroso Commission II are not allowed to hold political office nationally, although party membership is permitted. EU: Hahn darf nicht Wiener ÖVP leiten Kurier 28 October 2009.

He was twice appointed Acting Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship in Viviane Reding's stead, from 19 April 2014 – 25 May 2014 while she was on electoral campaign leave for the 2014 elections to the European Parliament and from 1 July 2014 – 16 July 2014 after she took up her seat. KUNA – Barroso announces caretaker replacements following resignation of 4 EU Commissioners During his term as European Commissioner for Regional Policy (February 2010 – November 2014) Hahn implemented an ambitious and comprehensive reform of EU Regional Policy, linking it closer with EU economic governance and macro-economic conditions; introducing clearly defined conditions; and establishing a better evaluation system. Based on the new regulation, European regions have developed so called smart specialisation strategies to identify their particular strengths and potentials as the basis for investments. The adoption of smart specialisation strategy was an ex-ante conditionality for the approval of regional programs for the period 2014–2020. Despite cuts in the overall EU budget, Hahn succeeded to keep the high level of financial support for strategic investments in the new period (2014–2020): Funding for regional and cohesion policy in 2014–2020 amounts to 351,8 billion Euro. Taking into account the national contribution of member states, and the leverage effect of financial instruments, the overall impact of investments is likely to be about 600 billion Euro. Parts of the reform were already implemented in the last year of the Barroso term. Thanks to increased flexibility, allowing reprogramming of structural funds, the reformed Cohesion Policy paid also an important role in overcoming coping with the economic crisis. Measures in this context were e.g. reallocation of unused funds for education, training and employment as well as for providing urgently needed liquidity for enterprises . The reform, endorsed by the Council and European Parliament with overwhelming majority and strongly supported also by stakeholders and the Committee of the Regions, established Hahn's reputation as a "forward looking, bold reformer".

Despite cuts in the overall EU budget, Hahn succeeded to keep the high level of financial support for strategic investments in the new period (2014–2020): Funding for regional and cohesion policy in 2014–2020 amounts to 351,8 bn EUR. The reform, endorsed by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament with overwhelming majority and strongly supported also by stakeholders and the Committee of the Regions, established Hahn's reputation as a "forward looking, bold reformer". More detailed information on the fundamental reform of Regional Policy can be found here: Cohesion Policy Reform in 10 points Cohesion Policy Reform in 10 points European Commission. 19 November 2013. The Reform of Cohesion Policy The Reform of Cohesion Policy European Commission. 2014.

In his new portfolio, Commissioner Hahn launched, Press Release: The EU launches a consultation on the future of its relations with neighbouring countries. European Commission. 4 March 2015. together with High Representative Federica Mogherini, a comprehensive reform of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), as mandated by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Mission Letter to Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations European Commission. 1 November 2014.

As Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood, Hahn oversaw the Union's response to the Syrian and Libyan civil wars and the war in Ukraine. He also oversaw, together with his colleagues, the EU's emergency response to the refugee crisis along the Balkan route, and managed the relations with Turkey before and after the failed 2016 coup, including in terms of assistance to the Syrian refugees based on the EU-Turkey deal.

On 24 November 2016 Johannes Hahn signed the agreement on financing the European Union Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine.

When European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Crețu stepped down from the European Commission to take up her seat in the European Parliament following the 2019 elections, the commission's President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker announced that her portfolio would be transferred to Hahn.Carmen Paun and Lili Bayer (8 July 2019), Council rebuffs Juncker’s plan to leave commissioner seats vacant Politico Europe. Shortly after, Austria's interim Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein announced her government's intention to put forward Hahn for a third term as the country's representative in the European Commission.Judith Mischke (11 July 2019), Austria to nominate Johannes Hahn to stay at Commission Politico Europe.

• – Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to the Republic of Austria.
• – Order of Honour for the significant contribution to strengthening the collaboration between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union.