Markus Figl new editor-in-chief of the Vienna People's Party: A new beginning!

Markus Figl new editor-in-chief of the Vienna People's Party: A new beginning!

On April 28, 2025, Markus Figl was elected executive regional party chairman by the Vienna ÖVP regional party leadership. Figl, who previously served as district chief of the Inner City, expressed his gratitude to the members of the Presidium and emphasized the importance of a strong people's party for the future of Vienna. After the resignation of Karl Mahrer, who had suggested Figl as his successor, a succession dispute arose within the Vienna ÖVP, which led to bitter disputes. How courier discovered that there were even factions within the party that mobilized for Figl's opponent, Daniel Resch.

Resch, who serves as district leader in Döbling, was elected chief negotiator for the exploratory talks with the SPÖ. His goal is to lead a people's party into the negotiations that is well prepared in terms of content and has a united staff. Figl and Resch, part of an exploratory team, have clear ideas about the focus of the upcoming discussions.
In a compromise, Resch could take on the position of deputy mayor or city councilor in a possible coalition with the SPÖ if the talks are successful.

Political tensions and future prospects

However, the situation in the Vienna ÖVP is tense. Fissures within the party that led to the election debacle on election Sunday continue. Many party officials viewed the premature reporting on Figl as an affront. This shows how deep the conflicts within the party run and how they can influence the public perception of the ÖVP. Deutschlandfunk reports that the return of the government mandate by FPÖ leader Kickl and the call for new elections are further contributing to political uncertainty.

The SPÖ itself is in a challenging environment. Mayor Michael Ludwig made it clear that he would only enter into a government coalition if the personal component was right. Another potential move is expert or minority governments, which are already being discussed as options. These developments leave room for speculation about changes in top personnel, both in the ÖVP and the Greens.

The Vienna People's Party is therefore faced with the challenge of finding its internal stability and at the same time reacting to the controversial coalition negotiations with the SPÖ. Figl promised to work for the ÖVP's position as a strong civic force in Vienna, which is no easy task given the current political dynamics.