Patrick Jonke: Klagenfurt's new vice mayor in stormy times!

Patrick Jonke: Klagenfurt's new vice mayor in stormy times!

Klagenfurt, Österreich - On April 30, 2025, Patrick Jonke was appointed the new mayor of Klagenfurt as part of a municipal council meeting. Jonke follows Alexander Kastner, who retired at the end of March 2025 after he had been excluded from the party shortly before. The investigation against Kastner in the overtime affair was discontinued, which created the prerequisite for Jonke's appointment. However, this appointment is characterized by a tense political climate within the Carinthia team, since there have been several changes in the office of Vice Mayor since 2023.

Jonke, who previously acted as the club chairman of the Carinthia team, is considered a close confidant of Mayor Christian Scheider. However, there is little transparency about the criteria that led to his selection, which makes the decision seem all the more opaque. The reactions within the team to its appointment are so far reserved. So Michael Gussnig, who replaces Jonke as a club boss, speaks of a "close cooperation", but does not specifically show a supportive one. SPÖ Vice Mayor Ronald Rabitsch did not comment directly on Jonke's choice, which indicates a distance between the coalition partners, as Klick Carinthen

political instability in Klagenfurt

Jonke is not the first mayor to change in the recent past. Political instability in the Carinthia team has increased in recent months. Again and again change and exclusions are the focus. Kastner's resignation was accompanied by a dispute within the party and underlines the current uncertainty in the political structure of Klagenfurt. ORF Carinthia emphasizes that Jonke wants to focus on urban development and proximity to the citizens during his term.

The relevance of Jonke's position can also be seen in the new presentations that have been transferred: living, renovation, new construction, climate and environmental protection, energy and European affairs. These topics are crucial for future -oriented urban development. Despite critical voices on the nature of his appointment, it can be hoped that Jonke will be able to smooth the political waves and to open new ways of successful cooperation.

parallel to Jonke's appointment, Philipp Liesnig also took over the position of the mayor after Jürgen Pfeiler surprisingly resigned. Liesnig, who was the managing director of a software provider before his political career, would like to reform political culture in the town hall and particularly take care of the city's finances. He emphasizes the need to redistribute resources without saving in the social sector. His approach shows that a new wind is blowing in the Klagenfurt town hall, as my district reports.

Overall, a phase of upheaval is reflected in the current situation in Klagenfurt, both in leadership and in political culture. It remains to be seen whether Patrick Jonke and Philipp Liesnig have grown the challenges and will be able to restore trust in the city government.