Decision made

Now fixed: Söchau merges with Fürstenfeld

Mayors Franz Jost and Josef Kapper(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

It is now final: the municipal councils of Söchau and Fürstenfeld have voted in favor of a merger of the municipalities. This means that Styria will only have 285 municipalities as of January 1, 2025.

High debts, hardly any money for investment: Söchau has been discussing the idea of joining its larger neighbor Fürstenfeld since May. On Thursday evening after 7 pm, the decision was finally made: The municipal council in Söchau voted in favor of the merger - unanimously, in fact.

The Fürstenfeld municipal council also voted in favor of the merger with a majority. "There was only one local councillor we couldn't convince," says Mayor Franz Jost.

We are looking forward to a shared future.

Franz Jost, Bürgermeister von Fürstenfeld (ÖVP)

Now the process of the merger begins: the province of Styria has to examine the endeavor. As of December 31, the two municipalities will no longer exist; on January 1, 2025, the new Fürstenfeld will be created with over 10,000 inhabitants. Local council elections are scheduled to take place in March. Until then, a commissioner is in charge of official business.