Austria's president-elect Heinz Fischer is considered an experienced politician, who favors a neutral foreign policy and is adept in mediating partisan bickering inside the parliament.

Born in 1938 in the southern city of Graz, Fischer studied law in Vienna University and gained his PhD degree in 1961.

Soon afterwards he started his career with the Social Democratic Party (SP), rising to secretary to the parliamentary faction in 1963. He became a Member of Parliament in 1971.

From 1983 to 1987 he was in the government as Minister of Science and Research.

Fischer has since 2002 been the deputy speaker of parliament, after having been the speaker from 1990 to 2002.

Fischer will be sworn in as president on July 8 when his predecessor Thomas Klestil retires.

He will be the first Social Democratic president of Austria in 18 years.

Fischer is married with two children.

Austria's presidency is a largely ceremonial and representational office.

Source: Xinhua