Josef Schwaiger

Josef Schwaiger (born July 17, 1965, in Berndorf near Salzburg; died October 23, 2025, in Salzburg[1]) was an Austrian politician (ÖVP) and agricultural economist. From June 19, 2013, until his death, he served as a member of the Salzburg state government in the Haslauer Jr. I, Haslauer Jr. II, and Haslauer Jr. III governments, and later in the Edtstadler government.

Life
Schwaiger grew up in the Flachgau region and attended elementary school in Berndorf from 1971 to 1975. Between 1975 and 1979, he attended secondary school in Mattsee, and from 1979 to 1981, he attended the Kleßheim Agricultural College. From 1981 to 1986, he attended the Ursprung Federal Higher Technical College and subsequently studied political science at the Universities of Salzburg and Vienna from 1986 to 1991, as well as agricultural economics at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) from 1987 to 1992. He also audited courses at the Vienna University of Technology between 1987 and 1989. Schwaiger received his degree in engineering in 1992 and pursued further education at the University of Agricultural and Environmental Education from 1992 to 1993. There, he also passed the teaching examination in 1993. From 1993 to 1996, he wrote his doctoral dissertation at the Institute of Farm Management and the Institute of Agricultural Engineering at BOKU, earning his doctorate in agricultural sciences in 1996.

Schwaiger received his diploma in engineering in 1992 and continued his studies at the University of Agricultural and Environmental Education from 1992 to 1993. After working various summer jobs between 1980 and 1993, primarily as a construction worker and agricultural laborer, Schwaiger joined the Salzburg state government in 1993. From 1993 to 1995, he served as a construction site administrator for alpine farming and as an official agricultural expert. From 1995 to 1998, he worked as a case officer in the agricultural policy department, and from 1998 to 2000, he was the office manager for State Councillor Josef Eisl. In 2001, he became head of the Rural Development department and in 2004, head of the entire Agriculture and Forestry department. In 2009, he assumed leadership of the Basic Resources and Energy department (water management, agriculture, and energy). In addition, from 2003 onward, Schwaiger also worked part-time as a secondary school teacher at the Ursprung Higher Agricultural and Forestry School, teaching agricultural machinery technology.

Josef Schwaiger was married and had two daughters.[2] He died on October 23, 2025, at the Salzburg State Hospital as a result of a heart attack.[1][3]

Politics
Following the 2013 state elections, Josef Schwaiger was elected to the Salzburg State Parliament on June 19, 2013. He assumed responsibility for the departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, and Energy (part of Department 4: Livelihoods and Energy), as well as Personnel (excluding State Hospitals). He succeeded State Councillor Josef Eisl in this role. Schwaiger had not been politically active prior to joining the state government.

Awards

2025: Medal of Honor of the State of Salzburg[4]
Publications
"Studies on the Technology and Economic Efficiency of Solar-Powered Drying of Round Hay Bales." University thesis, Diploma thesis. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, 1992.[5]
"Influence of the Mechanization of Grassland Farms on Their Economic and Social Situation." Doctoral dissertation. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1996.[6]

External links
Josef Schwaiger at the State of Salzburg
The new government in brief profiles. In: salzburg.orf.at from June 12, 2013
Josef Schwaiger on www.meineabgeordneten.at