the nominations process to improve the gender balance in the composition of the European Commission. In 2020, Karas led an initiative of nearly 40 other EPP members who pushed to expel Tamás Deutsch from their parliamentary group after the latter had compared comments made by group leader Manfred Weber to the slogans of the Gestapo and Hungary's communist-era secret police; Deutsch was eventually suspended but not expelled from the group. Timeline of positions held Hilfswerk Austria, President (since 1998) Political Academy of the Austrian People's Party, Vice-President Austrian Society for China Studies (ÖGCF), Member of the Presidium Austrian Association of Graduates, Member of the Board Institute for Public Social Responsibility, Member of the Board of Trustees Kangaroo Group, President (2009-2013), Member of the Board (since 2013) EU expenses scandal In 2005, EU parliamentarian Hans Peter Martin revealed that Karas collected thousands of euros of "daily allowance" of 262 euros a day, even though he was often only in Brussels for a few hours on those days or it was a matter of holiday weeks. Awards 2003 – Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria Private life Karas is married to Dr. Christa Waldheim-Karas, daughter of Kurt Waldheim and Elisabeth Waldheim. References External links Official website (in German) Declaration of financial interests (in German; PDF file) 1957 births Austrian People's Party MEPs Living people MEPs for Austria 1999–2004 MEPs for Austria 2004–2009 MEPs for Austria 2009–2014 MEPs for Austria 2014–2019 MEPs for Austria 2019–2024 University of St. Gallen alumni