United in Tamsweg

Roman König elected new bachelor president

The old and the new: Bernhard Schiefer (right) hands over the office to Roman König (left)(Bild: Roland Holitzky)

The "Vereinigte zu Tamsweg" have a new bachelor president: on New Year's Day, Roman König was elected to lead the youth of the oldest association of working men in the whole of Austria. 

Every three years, the oldest fraternity in Austria elects a new head bachelor, known as the president. At the traditional Andingen on New Year's Day, Roman König was chosen this time. 

"It's an honor, of course. I hope that I can fill the office with as much enthusiasm as my predecessor," said the insurance salesman. According to tradition, candidates who are nominated first have to look for excuses as to why they can't become the top bachelor. "I was a policeman for ten years," says König with a twinkle in his eye, adding that he has rigor in his blood. However, the United were not deterred by this and made him their successor. 

Roman König received the horseshoe (the United's symbol of good luck) from his predecessor Bernhard Schiefer in the evening. 

The tradition of the Vereinigte dates back to 1737. The bachelor presidents have been elected since 1879. The president is seen as an important support for the commissioner (currently Christian Bernhofer). The highlight of the year is always the festival week in January. A new commissioner will be elected again in 2026.