Election in Pongau

Eight new mayors are already in place

Farmer and restaurateur Josef Hofer (with cat) was able to bring the mayor's office in Filzmoos back to the People's Party.(Bild: Gerhard Schiel)

From Altenmarkt to Werfenweng: almost a third of all 25 municipalities in the district will have a new mayor. A surprise is still possible in the Gastein Valley.

Sepp Hofer is under stress. His Gsenghof farm in Filzmoos is a hive of activity. Another task awaits the farmer and restaurateur from mid-April: on Sunday, Hofer regained the office of mayor of his home municipality at the foot of the Dachstein. After Christian Mooslechner (SPÖ), Hofer is now once again an ÖVP politician at the helm of Filzmoos.

Sepp Hofer is completely new at the head of a Pongau municipality, as is Josef Steger (ÖVP) in Altenmarkt. Steger, who was already active in politics 15 years ago, succeeds Rupert Winter (ÖVP). "I am happy to take on the responsibility," says Steger (62), but makes it clear: "I am a transitional candidate. There are enough younger people who can fill the office."

One vote was missing
In addition to Hofer and Steger, Kurt Daxer (ÖVP) in Werfenweng and surprise candidate Hans Ganitzer (SPÖ) in Großarl were two others who were elected as neo-mayors. There will also be a new mayor in St. Johann. After the withdrawal of Günther Mitterer, this was clear for some time. A duel was predicted, but the expected neck-and-neck race between Eveline Huber (SPÖ) and Rudolf Huber (ÖVP) will only be decided in the run-off.

Rudolf Huber (ÖVP) wants to become mayor of St. Johann. He is running against...(Bild: Gerhard Schiel)

... Eveline Huber (SPÖ).(Bild: Gerhard Schiel)

Eight of the 25 municipalities will have new heads, including Bad Gastein. Norbert Ellmauer (ÖVP) received exactly 50 percent of the votes there - 1040 out of 2080 votes. One too few for victory. Ellmauer has to go up against surprise candidate Franz Weiss (Weiss list) once again. In Mühlbach, Josef Wölfler (FM) or Willi Bodner (FPÖ) could win the race.

With Martina Rettensteiner (ÖVP), Forstau could have a woman at the head of the municipality for the first time. Her opponent Gregor Schwarz (Forstau list) wants to prevent this. In Hofgastein, there will be another run-off election after 2019 between Markus Viehauser (ÖVP) and SPÖ candidate Johann Freiberger. Five years ago, Viehauser came out on top and became mayor for the first time.