Maurer not included!

Kogler names possible successors for party chairmanship

Who will succeed Werner Kogler as leader of the Greens? Kogler himself has now mentioned three names for the first time.(Bild: APA/BARBARA GINDL)

Green Party leader Werner Kogler will step down from his position next year - now he has named possible successors for his position. There are "at least three" high-profile candidates: The previous ministers Leonore Gewessler and Alma Zadić as well as the Upper Austrian state councillor Stefan Kaineder.

Kogler did not name Sigrid Maurer, who has also been mentioned as a candidate in media reports, when asked on ORF's "ZiB2" on Thursday evening. Maurer herself told "Krone" that she had never aspired to this job and saw her place in parliament. According to Maurer, this was also discussed with Kogler. Maurer's low popularity ratings in the party and in the club could also play a role. Gewssler is considered the favorite. One argument against Zadić is that she is currently pregnant with her second child. 

Who will succeed Werner Kogler as leader of the Greens? Kogler himself has now mentioned three names for the first time.(Bild: APA/BARBARA GINDL)

Klubobfrau Maurer has caused displeasure among some Greens with her tight club leadership(Bild: krone.tv)

It is said behind closed doors that Kogler would prefer to have Kaineder from Upper Austria as his successor. However, he is said to have no great desire for Vienna and would prefer to stay in the country with his family. It is quite possible that there will also be a battle at the party conference. In an interview with krone.tv on Friday, Green Party Secretary General Olga Voglauer said the following when asked why Maurer was not named: "That is a question that we will clarify on the way to the federal congress."

Kogler's resignation as club chairman still open
The roadmap for the generational change is to be determined at the beginning of the year. "And yes, I will no longer be running for party chair", Kogler confirmed once again with a view to the federal congress planned for the middle of the year.

The Green Party spokesperson left open the question of whether he will then also step down as club chairman. Should new elections be called before then, he would no longer seek the top candidacy.