Anton Rintelen

The first governor was a traitor

Engelbert Dollfuß and Anton Rintelen(Bild: Privatarchiv Fraydenegg-Monzello)

Today he is all but forgotten, but Anton Rintelen, the first freely elected governor of Styria, shaped the province in the interwar period like almost no other politician. Andreas Fraydenegg-Mozello dedicates a new book to the "prince and traitor".

On July 25, 1934, Anton Rintelen, former Styrian governor and minister, at the time envoy to Rome, is waiting at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna. At 1 p.m., the radio announces: "The Dollfuß government has resigned. Dr. Rintelen has taken over the reins of government."