Franz Kranebitter (politician, 1906)

Franz Kranebitter (born January 7, 1906 in Oberlienz , † January 3, 1977 in Perlog ) was an Austrian mountain farmer , member of parliament and founder of the Osttiroler Bote .

Life

After elementary and advanced training school, Kranebitter attended the agricultural college in Lienz from 1929 to 1931 . Just three years after his school career, he was elected district chairman of the Tyrolean young farmers' movement. He held this office until 1938. A few days after the end of the Second World War in May 1945, Kranebitter became district farmer leader. He tried to motivate the population to help each other during this difficult time. Everyone who could spare food was called upon to deliver it in order to support those in need.

Kranebitter recognized the weaknesses of the circulars used for the calls . His belief in running a newspaper grew due to the ongoing difficulties of food supplies. He asked the British occupation troops for permission to publish a weekly newspaper for East Tyrol with the title "Osttioler Bote" . This should facilitate the supply and reconstruction. Kranebitter's request was approved towards the end of this year.

He was also very active politically. In the state elections in autumn 1945 he was the list leader of the East Tyrolean ÖVP . After National Councilor Dr. Josef Stemberger died unexpectedly, Kranebitter took his position in October 1947.

He is also considered the "father" of Felbertauernstrasse . In the first year of his political activity, he took up the plans to build this road link. For the first time, a tunnel variant was considered. With this building, Kranebitter wanted to open up the natural beauties of this area for tourism . He was supported by the Tyrolean state parliament. The Felbertauernstrasse was built for five years until it was finally opened in 1967.

He ended his political career in 1970. The following years would be difficult for him. In 1971, Kranebitter suffered a stroke from which he never really recovered. In 1972 his sister had a fatal accident. A year later, one of his sons was killed in a car accident. Kranebitter finally died shortly before his 71st birthday.

In 1958 Franz Kranebitter was invested in the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem in the Archabbey Church of St. Peter in Salzburg .

literature

• He was the "father" of the new newspaper. In: Osttiroler Bote. January 12, 2006.

Web links

• Literature by and about Franz Kranebitter in the catalog of the German National Library
• Franz Kranebitter on the website of the Austrian Parliament
• 40 years of Felbertauernstrasse