Gswb chaos

This is what threatens Gswb under the new mayor

Water damage that has not been repaired for years, mold growth that forces tenants to move out of their own bedrooms due to health concerns: Salzburg's largest housing association is responsible for 25,000 apartments in the province and has lost control of many problem cases or simply turned a blind eye.

(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

Whether with Bernhard Auinger (SPÖ) or Kay-Michael Dankl (KPÖPlus) at the helm: Salzburg's chaotic housing association Gswb is on the verge of a radical change. Opinions of the run-off candidates differ on the role of the SPÖ.

Salzburg's powerful non-profit housing association Gswb has been in the headlines for weeks. First the scandal about the manipulated status of customer inquiries (tickets). Then the endless list of grievances in many of the 25,000 apartments in the province. This first cost Managing Director Peter Rassaerts his job and, at the beginning of the week, Lukas Wolff, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, his position. Involuntarily, the chaotic housing association, which is now being managed on an interim basis by Florian Kreibich (ÖVP), became a hot topic in the battle for the office of mayor.

Bernhard Auinger and Kay-Michael Dankl, the run-off candidates, are correspondingly clear on the question of Gswb's future: "It needs a total reboot," says SPÖ man Auinger. Dankl (KPÖ) is also calling for this.

Now also history at Gswb: Supervisory Board Chairman Lukas Wolff.

(Bild: Valentin Snoe)

KPÖ Plus sees "the SPÖ also has a responsibility"
The politicians agree that the giant company in subsidized housing, which is still dominated by the ÖVP, should be depoliticized. Dankl: "The new management must come from outside, must not be entangled in a party network." Auinger: "The new Gswb leadership must not be party political."

The Gswb suffers from having been treated as a playground and self-service store for years. The SPÖ also has a responsibility here.

Kay-Michael Dankl, KPÖ

Auinger and Dankl disagree on the role of the SPÖ: "The Gswb suffers from having been treated as a playground and self-service store for years. The SPÖ also has a responsibility here," says the communist. Gswb is owned equally by the City and Province of Salzburg.

It was the political members of the Supervisory Board who uncovered the abuses at Gswb. Our SPÖ Supervisory Board member Vincent Pultar in particular has fulfilled his duties to monitor the management.

Bernhard Auinger, SPÖ

"We need a total restart", says SPÖ man Auginger. Dankl (KPÖ) is also calling for this.

(Bild: zVg)

Auinger states that it was only through his party's intervention that light was shed on the Gswb darkness: "It was the political members of the Supervisory Board who uncovered the abuses at Gswb. Our SPÖ Supervisory Board member Vincent Pultar in particular fulfilled his duties to monitor the management."

Whether with Dankl or Auinger, the new Gswb management can expect a mayor who will keep a close eye on the proceedings. Politics simply cannot afford any more scandals.