Change of mayor

Mödling now has two “half-time bosses”

New leadership: Silvia Drechsler (SPÖ) and Rainer Praschak (Greens). The black city will now be governed by the SPÖ for 2 1/2 years, then by the Greens.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Doris Seebacher)

Silvia Drechsler from the SPÖ will be the new and first mayor of Mödling for the first 2 1/2 years. She will be followed by Rainer Praschak, who will then be the first Green mayor. The ÖVP lost four seats and now has to vacate the mayor's office. 

The SPÖ and the Greens in Mödling have much to celebrate. Less so for the ÖVP mayor's party under Michael Danzinger. He lost four seats in the local council elections and now has to vacate the field for the red-green coalition, according to a report in the "Krone" newspaper. Together, the two parties now have the 21 seats needed for a majority in the local council – the Greens with eleven and the Reds with ten.

Shared mayor's seat
The mayor's chair will now be shared by Silvia Drechsler of the SPÖ and Rainer Praschak of the Greens.

Rainer Praschak, 51, owns a record store in Mödling. In his spare time, the father of one daughter is a passionate amateur ornithologist.(Bild: Doris_SEEBACHER)

Silvia Drechsler is married and the mother of two adult children. She spends her free time in her garden, with her grandchild, or on her motorcycle.(Bild: Doris_SEEBACHER)

Drechsler will take the lead. She will also take over the financial agenda. "Because there is a lot of catching up to do here," says the 62-year-old mother of two and passionate motorcyclist, who has been active in local politics since 2001.

Rainer Praschak will serve as deputy mayor for the first half of the term. The 51-year-old record store owner and amateur ornithologist has been on the municipal council since 2010. In 2027, he will become Mödling's first Green mayor.

Many plans for the future
There is a lot to do. And there is also great agreement between the reds and the greens. For example, they want to involve citizens in future projects. Climate protection is also immensely important to both parties. A new transport concept—the current one dates from 2003—is being revised. Housing—especially for young people—should become affordable again. "Young people should feel welcome here," says Rainer Praschak. "We are a school town, but we don't offer enough 'ambience' for young people." 

The first step for Silvia Drechsler, who will be in charge of finance, will be to take stock of the finances and restructure the budget. "We have left a lot of money on the table, but we have also spent a lot of money on duplication," concluded the new mayor.