Greens counter criticism

“Implementing the policies for which we were elected”

Timon Scheurer, Judith Schwentner and Sandra Krautwaschl (The Greens, from left)(Bild: Die Grünen Steiermark)

After plans for an extensive reorganization of the Graz road network were announced and heavily criticized, the Greens are now going on the offensive: "We are implementing the policies for which we were elected." The process is transparent. And: there is more than nine million euros from the federal government for cycle paths. 

The Graz city government's plans to give public transport, cyclists and pedestrians more space are causing a political row. This was triggered by the publication of the "Mobility Plan Graz 2040" (MP2040) in the "Krone" newspaper. The FPÖ and ÖVP reacted indignantly to the planned reorganization of the road network, saying that the plans amounted to a "destruction plan against the economy and car drivers", ranted FPÖ leader Mario Kunasek, for example.

"We are implementing the policies for which we were elected," countered Styrian Green Party leader Sandra Krautwaschl and Graz Deputy Mayor Judith Schwentner on Thursday. They also announced further measures: "We have just learned that the federal government is releasing 9.3 million euros in funding for cycle paths in Graz," said Schwentner.

Bim expansion to start in 2026
Since the Greens, together with the KPÖ, have had the political say in the provincial capital, 20 kilometers of new footpaths and cycle paths have already been built, they proudly emphasized. The expansion of the south-west line via Griesplatz will start in 2026.

It was also emphasized that the mobility plan would be based on a "transparent process" - the ÖVP district leaders would also be informed about "every step".