ÖVP in the crisis: Who will be the next boss after Mahrer's resignation?

ÖVP in the crisis: Who will be the next boss after Mahrer's resignation?

Wien, Österreich - The Vienna People's Party is faced with a decisive phase: After the resignation of Karl Mahrer is now being sought. Mahrer announced his resignation after an election debacle in which the ÖVP in Vienna achieved only 9.7 percent of the vote-a decline in more than ten percentage points compared to the 2020 election.

The possible successor solution has now limited itself to two candidates: Markus Figl, the desired candidate of Mahrer, and the outsider Daniel Resch. In a fight vote in the Presidium of the ÖVP, the result remained balanced, each with twelve votes for both candidates. This stalemate position illustrates the tornness within the party and its inability to make a clear decision. The Presidium is "unable" to determine the direction for future leadership, which further reveals the tense conditions.

candidates in the focus

Markus Figl, currently district head of the inner city, is supported by Mahrer and has already been able to secure strong backing internally. As a big nephew of the former Chancellor Leopold Figl, he could also symbolize a departure. His connections to the ÖAAB (Austrian workers' Association) could help him win the majority in the Presidium, as reported is reported

political environment and meaning

The political situation of the ÖVP in Vienna has deteriorated significantly because it has fallen behind parties such as the Greens and the Neos and is only ahead of the KPÖ. This has increased the urgency to find a stable leadership that can reunite the party base and regain trust in the electorate. Ingrid Korosek, the boss of the pensioners, could play a crucial role with her voice and act as a "Zünglein on the scale", which makes the decision even more exciting.

The next vote is eagerly awaited, since the election of the new chairman will not only influence the direction of the Vienna ÖVP, but also the strategic orientation of the party at the national level. It remains to be seen how the balance of power in the Presidium will develop and who will ultimately succeed Karl Mahrer. The further support of Nico Marchetti , the new ÖVP-General Secretary, could have additional influence on the outcome of the fighting.