Elections in Salzburg

ÖVP bankruptcies: The end of the black local emperors

Martin Dietrich clenches his fist in victory! He is the big election winner in Golling and will soon be the new head of the village. "I'm still stunned, I never expected it in my life," he says happily.(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

Heavy and unexpected defeats for a number of ÖVP local leaders in the Salzburg municipal and mayoral elections! There are hardly any explanations for this - but the first resignations. 

Even the day after, Karl Huemer had no explanation ready. "I had a good feeling, but I'm completely at a loss," says the still-mayor of Rußbach. The ÖVP man had previously held an absolute majority with his parliamentary group - everything will be different in future! Huemer lost the mayoral election to Stefan Lanner (SPÖ), his party plummeted from 53.4 to 38.9 percent. Huemer's consequence: "I am resigning from all political offices," he emphasizes.

Karl Huemer retires from politics.(Bild: Scharinger Daniel)

His party colleague Peter Harlander will probably also take this drastic step. The head of Golling was surprisingly defeated by challenger Martin Dietrich (SPÖ) in the elections on Sunday. "I'm still completely perplexed, I didn't expect it," says the soon-to-be mayor happily. And: "The desire for change was obviously there after so many years of ÖVP." Harlander could not be reached for comment by the "Krone". In future, the Golling Social Democrats will be the strongest force in the municipal council - due to a counting error, the SPÖ will subsequently gain two more seats from the Freedom Party. "It's amazing that we have turned the black municipality around," cheers Dietrich.

Peter Harlander was unexpectedly voted out of office(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

Puch's long-term leader Helmut Klose (ÖVP) also had an election night to forget. His party lost its absolute majority in the local parliament. Klose also had to face a run-off election against SPÖ candidate Barbara Schweitl. The reasons for the surprising failure? "No comment", the local leader grumbled into the phone to the "Krone". His challenger was more forthcoming. "The people of Puch want change and are fed up with the mayor's style. Some of it is completely below the belt," says Schweitl.

Helmut Klose is extremely taciturn after the election defeat.(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

There was a fair and objective election campaign in Bad Vigaun - and yet ÖVP local leader Friedrich Holztrattner suffered a defeat. The absolute majority is history, they are now only the second strongest force in the town. Holztrattner has to go into the run-off election: "That came as an extreme surprise to me," says the mayor.