In St. Margarethen

Hotel project becomes an election campaign issue

(Bild: ROLAND_HOLITZKY)

First an initiative was formed against the mega construction, now even its own list. The aim: to focus on residents instead of tourism.

A planned hotel project with 498 beds, including large sports facilities, has long been a contentious issue in tranquil St. Margarethen (population around 750). Last year, the "Initiative for Transparency and Participation" collected a total of 333 signatures - 249 from local residents - against the project. And was thus able to prevent at least a doubling of the beds.

A separate "List for St. Margarethen" with similar interests has now been formed for the upcoming municipal council and mayoral elections. Wilfried Holzer, currently FPÖ deputy mayor, is leading this list. One of the list's main objectives: Tourism is an important driver, but a different direction is also needed, where the focus is even more on the population.