Mahrer remains the ÖVP's top candidate despite charges - what will happen in the election?

Mahrer remains the ÖVP's top candidate despite charges - what will happen in the election?

The Vienna ÖVP has nominated Karl Mahrer as the top candidate for the local council election on April 27, 2025, despite his indictment in the Wienwert case. The decision was made by the presidium and board of the state party, as an APA spokesman announced. Mahrer, who has denied the allegations since the beginning, is said to lead the list with an “overwhelming majority” of candidates, despite internal criticism. The People's Party is fighting for its place as the second strongest force in the local council after recording an impressive increase to 20.4 percent of the vote in the last election in 2020 vienna.at reported.

The Friday on which the top candidates were chosen was eagerly awaited by many. Despite open criticism from within the party, including statements from Walter Ruck, President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, Mahrer remained calm. “There is simply no majority against Mahrer,” explained his close confidant Peter Sverak before the vote. While approval of Mahrer has predominated in the party, there is a feeling from those around Sebastian Kurz and Gernot Blümel that the ÖVP is currently only at around 13 percent in the polls, such as courier.at reports.

Coalition perspectives

A coalition with the SPÖ plays a central role for Mahrer. Despite the charges, he appears to be willing to negotiate with the Social Democrats as deputy mayor. But critics within his own ranks argue that Mayor Michael Ludwig cannot afford to form a government with a defendant. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop during the election campaign, as the ÖVP's internal structures also appear to be moving, with several prominent members leaving.