Election campaign kick-off

Ice cream as the only common ground of the VP ice age

The Dogana in Congress Innsbruck was the venue for the election campaign kick-off of the "Das neue Innsbruck" group.(Bild: Claus Meinert, Das neue Innsbruck)

The Dogana in Congress Innsbruck was the venue for the election campaign kick-off of the "Das neue Innsbruck" group around mayoral candidate Florian Tursky on Monday. Almost 1000 sympathizers were present.

If you needed any more proof, you could find and experience it on Monday at Congress Innsbruck. There, "Das neue Innsbruck" - a merger of Für Innsbruck, Volkspartei and Seniorenbund - celebrated its campaign kick-off for the municipal and mayoral elections in the provincial capital in just under seven weeks' time. There was a lot of cheering and clapping, singing, drinking and eating orange ice cream.

And not a single syllable was uttered about the man who is currently causing this party the most pain and will probably do so on election day: We are talking about Johannes Anzengruber, who turned his back on "his party", the ÖVP, after a lengthy hiccup and ultimately being voted out as deputy mayor and has since been tirelessly fishing for votes in the pool of the so-called middle-class, but also other camps, with the "Yes - Now Innsbruck" group.

Florian Tursky spoke of visions and seemed more relaxed than before.(Bild: © Das neue Innsbruck)

Former Chancellor Schüssel among the guests
But back to Monday at the Congress. Just under 1000 supporters (and the odd observer from other lists) had gathered. A number that Innsbruck has not seen in an election for a long time. "The new Innsbruck", led by the soon-to-be former state secretary Florian Tursky, staged this kick-off under the title "A new start for Innsbruck". It was similar to what we know from current appearances during the US presidential election: show, glitter, cheers, live music and many guests of distinction.

Among them was former Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel, who, at almost 79 years of age, appeared physically and mentally fitter than many of the current candidates. Schüssel, a keen amateur footballer, was also the one to sink the first "Wuchtel" of the evening and emphasized that you always have to take your origins into account in order to start something new and tackle the future. Many people forget that. It is also not enough to just play one topic in the election campaign, such as "Housing for half the rent" in Salzburg. He was referring to the KPÖ. Much more is needed for a better future for Innsbruck.

Almost 1000 sympathizers were present at the election kick-off of "Das neue Innsbruck".(Bild: Meinert Claus)

Tursky more relaxed than last time
Tursky then "served up" this more, appearing visibly more liberated and relaxed than recently. Visions are needed for Innsbruck, not eternal arguments about the renovation of one small square or another. The most important goal, however, is to make Innsbruck governable again, to have a mayor who not only enjoys this office, but is also able to do it. "Georg Willi has now shown for six years that he can't." Innsbruck has lost its reputation as a cosmopolitan city; there are now more demonstrations on the boulevards than tourists.

One of the listeners nodded in agreement as he continued to enjoy his orange ice cream. Incidentally, this was probably the only thing Anzengruber and Tursky had in common during their campaign appearances: handing out ice cream. Perhaps it will cool some tempers by April 14.