"Krone" interview

Auinger: “Dankl’s demand is unrealistic”

Andreas Babler, federal party leader of the SPÖ, was one of the first well-wishers at Mirabell Palace. After seven years under Harald Preuner, Salzburg is back in red hands.(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

The designated mayor of the city of Salzburg, Bernhard Auinger (SPÖ), talks about the next few days, what he plans to do with the departments and why there won't be 1,000 new apartments per year.

"Krone": Mr. Auinger, how did you sleep after winning the run-off election for the first time at the third attempt?

Bernhard Auinger: I still had a lot of adrenaline in my body. But I still fell asleep well, but then woke up at 5 am.

What are your next steps now?

On Monday, I had my first meeting with my party colleague Andrea Brandner, followed by talks with the other governing parties on Tuesday. I would like to have the new division of portfolios clarified before the Easter holidays and then start negotiations.

So there will be a new major housing portfolio?

I promised that before the election. It makes sense for housing to be in one hand. I could also imagine changes in transport.

The joy knew no bounds. In his third run-off, Bernhard Auinger managed to win a run-off election for mayor for the first time.(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

Which departments would you like to run yourself?

My great passions are sport, culture and children's education. But it is not very realistic that I will be able to keep all the portfolios.

You will definitely take over the finances?

Yes, they belong to the mayor. I still have an appointment with Mayor Harald Preuner because I need to know the exact figures. Because I want to fix a fixed and binding project list with cost estimates during the party negotiations.

Will there be 1000 new apartments per year?

That was one of Kay-Michael Dankl's demands. That is completely unrealistic. However, we want to implement our plans, such as the Remise or the cable warehouse. But we have to talk to the landowners first.

What will happen with the S-Link?

My position is clear. The referendum is crucial. My feeling is that it will result in a clear "no". My priorities are the alternatives that we can implement as a city. These include buses and cycling, for example.