As former First VP of the European Parliament, Dr. Othmar Karas is a top EU expert and has led the European Forum Alpbach since Oct 2024. Born in 1957, he was Austria’s longest-serving MEP (1999–2024) and the only Austrian thrice elected to the Parliament's Bureau. For 25 years on the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, he shaped current financial regulations and was chief negotiator for bank regulation, EU investment plans, and financial supervision. He has also led Hilfswerk since 1998.