Karl Lueger (1844-1910) was the mayor of Vienna from 1897 to 1910 and led the Christian Social Party which took political power from the Austrian Liberals in Vienna and combatted the Social Democrats. A faction in the Austrian parliament, the Christian Social Party won Vienna city council in 1895 and subsequently helped Lueger win mayoralty. After three refusals, Emperor Franz Josef finally sanctioned his election in 1897.

Known for his anti-semitism, Lueger was credited by Adolf Hitler as an inspiration for the latter's more virulent form of anti-semitism.