Claudia Arpa (born 12 November 1967) is an Austrian politician who was President of the country's Federal Council from 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023.
Arpa was born on 12 November 1967 in Waiern in Carinthia, the third of four children. [1] She attended Gnesau elementary school and Feldkirchen secondary school, graduating in 1982. [2] She undertook further studies in economics in Villach. In 1993, she graduated with teaching degrees in psychology, geography and economics from Karl Franzens University in Graz. [2] She has completed postgraduate studies in environmental protection at the Technical University of Graz and in social management at the Institute for Education in the Health Service. [2]
Arpa worked in management at an Integration Service and the Wolfsburg State Welfare Association, before becoming managing director of the Lavanttal Women's Shelter in 2019. [2] She also ran her own language learning company. [3]
Arpa has been involved in various committees of the Social Democratic Party of Austria. [2] From 2015, she was a member of the municipal council of Frantschach-Sankt Gertraud and on 21 March 2021 she was elected Vice Mayor of the town. [1] [2] [3] In April 2018, she was elected to the Carinthian State Parliament. [4] In November 2021, she was unanimously elected Chair of SPO women in Wolfsberg District. [5]
Arpa became a member of the Federal Council in April 2023, delegated by the Carinthian state parliament, and was elected President on 1 July 2023. [6]
Arpa is married and has three daughters. [1] [2]