Hainisch, Michael

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Michael Hainisch (mĬ´khäĕl hī´nĬsh), 1858–1940, president of Austria (1920–28). He was a leading agriculturist and a noted writer. Politically acceptable to all major parties, he was elected first president of the new republic in 1920 and was reelected in 1924. He was (1929–30) minister of commerce and transportation in the Schober cabinet. Throughout his political career Hainisch strongly favored a union of Austria and Germany.