SPÖ Upper Austria elects Martin Winkler as the new boss with 95 percent!

SPÖ Upper Austria elects Martin Winkler as the new boss with 95 percent!

On June 16, 2025, the SPÖ Upper Austria presented its new chairman. Martin Winkler, a 62-year-old entrepreneur and co-founder of the crowdfunding platform Respect.net, was elected with an impressive majority of 95 percent of the votes cast. As the only candidate in the ballot, which began on May 28, Winkler met the requirements without difficulty. Voter turnout was 41 percent among the approximately 20,000 members of the SPÖ Upper Austria.

Although the ballot was valid, it still requires formal confirmation at a party conference in September. Until this confirmation, Alois Stöger, the executive party chairman, will lead the party. Stöger had taken over responsibility for leading the SPÖ on an interim basis in order to find a suitable successor.

Winkler's vision for Upper Austria

“More energy for Upper Austria” is Winkler’s motto, who focuses on the topics of industry and alternative energies. With his entrepreneurial background, he brings fresh ideas to the party leadership, which are increasingly important in times of change.

A significant step for Winkler is already imminent: On July 3rd, he will move into the state government and replace Michael Lindner as state councilor. Lindner had already announced his withdrawal from politics on November 9th of the previous year, which made a new beginning within the party necessary.

Political framework conditions in Austria

The election in Upper Austria takes place within a larger, structured electoral system that is divided into federal, state and municipal levels. As floo.media explains, who is eligible to vote in Austria is determined by the state: Any person who is at least 16 years old on election day, has Austrian citizenship and is not excluded from voting due to a conviction can take part in elections.

In recent years, voter turnout in Austria has fallen, particularly since the 1980s. However, the stable values ​​are still between 75 and 80 percent in National Council elections. These trends are influencing the political landscape and could also pose challenges for new party leaders like Winkler.

With Winkler at the helm, the SPÖ Upper Austria is entering an exciting time, which will hopefully be characterized by increased activity and commitment among its members. The coming months will show how his leadership and vision will impact the party and the political landscape of Upper Austria.