Before local council elections

Mayor’s office is becoming increasingly demanding

Günther Mitterer's 20 years as mayor of St. Johann are coming to an end.

(Bild: GERHARD SCHIEL)

119 municipalities will elect their mayor on March 10. Three of them explain why there are fewer and fewer candidates.

"It must be clear to everyone who stands for election: You're mayor 24 hours a day, seven days a week," says Günther Mitterer (ÖVP), making no secret of his workload. The 64-year-old knows what he is talking about. He has been the head of 11,500 inhabitants in St. Johann since 2003. After 20 years, he is no longer standing for election this year.

"It's becoming more difficult to find candidates to stand for election," he says in his role as President of the Association of Municipalities, the representative body for the 119 municipalities in the province. "A lot has changed, the demands on the office are increasing." That is a deterrent.

A candidate should consider whether they can achieve as much as they imagine over the years. In large communities, it's more than a full-time job.

Martin Promok, Bürgermeister Annaberg-Lungötz

Speaking in front of people, listening to them and approaching them is just as important as the technical aspects in order to be able to "work safely". The head of the municipality is responsible for finances and personnel and, as head of administration, can be legally prosecuted. "If construction projects cause problems and the mayor issued the building permits, he can be held liable," explains Martin Huber from the municipal association.

Calmly working around the clock
Mitterer remembers the time when he was new in office. He found it difficult to deal with the pressure. "I had to find a way to switch off and only let the problems get to a certain point, no further," he looks back.

Those who take office also decide against a career in the private sector. "With two terms of office, you're out of working life for ten years," Mitterer points out. Getting back in is difficult. There is only financial security for one year.

Lone fighters stand for election
This is why it is difficult in some places to find candidates for the mayoral election on March 10. In Annaberg-Lungötz, Martin Promok (ÖVP) is on his own. The lack of an opposing candidate is "not good for political competition", says Promok. Johann Habersatter (Habersatter list) has only one opponent in Untertauern after 30 years as mayor. Florian Holleis (GFUO) is challenging him. "The office is often difficult and very time-consuming. You have to enjoy it," says Habersatter, explaining the lack of competition.