Provincial Councilor Ehrenhöfer:

“I must not be afraid of the voters”

Born in Eastern Styria, Willibald Ehrenhöfer has lived in Graz for years and now also works in the provincial capital.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

New Provincial Councillor Willibald Ehrenhöfer (ÖVP) is supposed to save Styria's finances and "incidentally" get the economy back on track. The ex-manager knows that this will not be an easy task and that unpopular measures will be necessary.

"Krone": Politicians are traditionally among the most unpopular professions in Austria, why do you do this as a successful manager and even accept a loss of salary?
Willibald Ehrenhöfer: Honestly, it was never my plan to be a provincial councillor. Actually, there's no plausible reason for it, apart from the emotional one: I was able to enjoy a great school education, I was supported in my studies by the state and the student grant, and it's a beautiful country - that's why I wanted to give something back and take on responsibility.