Ejections planned

Much ado about new blue city party

FP district leader Michael Fischer, city party leader Slobodan Pupeter and the blue veteran Herwig Schropp (from left).(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

The FPÖ wants to run again in Stadl-Paura in the upcoming municipal elections in three years' time. A team has been formed again following the dissolution in 2021. However, as party leader Slobodan Pupeter is also still active in the Popp list, there is a dispute with Mayor Christian Popp, the founder of the list. 

Two and a half years ago, the FPÖ disappeared from the scene in Stadl-Paura. The then still blue mayor Christian Popp founded the Popp list out of dissatisfaction with the federal party leadership. Many Freedom Party members joined in. Because the ÖVP also got on board, the list achieved an overwhelming election victory and now governs with a two-thirds majority.

When Pupeter joined the Popp list in 2021, there was no talk of Popp and some officials disbanding the city's FPÖ.

FPÖ-Bezirksparteichef Michael Fischer

Nevertheless, there is now a rift in the list. Reason: the FPÖ has a city party again. It will be led by Slobodan Pupeter, who is also active in the Popp list and heads three committees. "That doesn't fit together. We will arrange a parliamentary group election in the upcoming municipal council, in which Pupeter is to be voted out of office. I am assuming this will happen," says Popp.

Many people have worked to make Popp great. I helped him on his way to becoming mayor. Then he shut down the FPÖ on his own authority.

Herwig Schropp, FPÖ-Urgestein

Pupeter is bitterly disappointed: "I would like to continue my work. We have made a lot of progress. The fact that the FPÖ is apparently not allowed to exist is very questionable in terms of democratic policy. The ÖVP also exists, which is not a problem for Popp." Incidentally, Popp did not resign from the FPÖ in 2021. He did so last week when he found out about the new foundation of the city party.