Leitl has always been known for his "fervent European perspective".[3] Since the 1960s, he has been politically involved in European youth and entrepreneurs movements.
From 1985 to 1990, Leitl was MP in the Upper Austria state legislature. In 1990, he became minister of Economic Affairs of the same state. From 1995 to 2000, Leitl concurrently served as Vice-Governor of Upper Austria.
Leitl was elected Vice-President of the Austrian People's Party branch of Upper Austria in 1990.
In 1999, Leitl won the presidential election of the Österreichischer Wirtschaftsbund, the economic branch of the Austrian People's Party. This cleared the way for Leitl to assume the presidency of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber in 2000. He was re-elected in 2004 and 2009.
During two election periods, from 2002 to 2005, Leitl also served as president of the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES), who named him honorary president in 2006.[4] He was re-elected as president of the same business organization in 2018.
In May 2013, Leitl became a Honorary Member of SME Europe, the business organization of the European People's Party.
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