With 58.2 to 41.8%

Tiroler Wirtschaftsbund: Thaler wins the duel

State Economic Councillor Mario Gerber versus WK President Barbara Thaler was the duel.

(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

Big showdown at the Congress Igls in Innsbruck! On Friday, the delegates of the Tyrolean Economic Association elected their new leader. The President of the Chamber of Commerce emerged victorious from the duel between LR Mario Gerber and Barbara Thaler!

On Friday, 426 delegates voted for the new leadership of the Tyrolean Economic Association in camera. 290 votes were cast, of which only three were invalid. While Economic Councillor Mario Gerber had already been a certain candidate for some time, WK President Barbara Thaler caused a stir behind the scenes when she announced her candidacy on 8 January.

Political insiders saw Gerber as the slight favorite. His supporters included not only eight WB district heads, but also well-known business personalities such as Christoph Swarovski, Jack Falkner, Gerald Unterberger and WK Vice President Manfred Pletzer.

Thaler wins with 58.2 to 41.8%
For her part, Thaler was supported by National Councillor Franz Hörl, the former boss of the Wirtschaftsbund, among others. The WK leader justified her candidacy by saying that, as the eventual winner, she would be able to exert more pressure on economic issues with her two top offices. Behind the scenes, the duel caused rumblings in the Tyrolean People's Party. 

Chamber of Commerce President Harald Mahrer congratulated the winner.

(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

Clear lead
The election proposal of District Group Chairman Provincial Councillor Mario Gerber received 120 votes, while Barbara Thaler, President of the Chamber of Commerce and deputy to Governor Anton Mattle, received 167 votes. 

I would also like to thank my predecessor Franz Hörl, he brought the Wirtschaftsbund to where we are now.

Barbara Thaler

Statement from Thaler: Thanks to Hörl
"Thank you for every vote, it was a wonderful AGM," said Thaler in an initial reaction. "Thanks also to my predecessor Franz Hörl, he brought the Wirtschaftsbund to where we are now. I am very pleased with the result. We will start work on Monday, and today we will celebrate a little!" said a visibly relieved WK President. 

No government applause club
Thaler apparently scored points with the announcement that he would also be able to criticize the government harshly. The Wirtschaftsbund is not an applause club, said Thaler's deputy Anton Rieder. "Our task is always to present ourselves with clarity and strength. We will represent the concerns of the economy, regardless of the work of the federal and state governments," said Thaler. 

Mario Gerber took note of the result with a blank expression.

(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

The role of the losing candidate
The cooperation with the defeated candidate Mario Gerber has worked well so far and we will continue to work together for the interests of the economy. Mario Gerber also emphasized the willingness to work together. 

"Disappointed and surprised"
Gerber said in an initial reaction that the result should be accepted. "I want to be a fair loser," said the regional economic councillor. What was the decisive moment? "We will have to listen, analyze the result and perceive the moods. The election result picks." The focus of his speech was "to say thank you to Franz". Gerber had propagated a separation of the offices of Wirtschaftsbund and WK President, also in his speech to the delegates. 

I want to be a fair loser.

Mario Gerber

What was the secret of Thaler's success?
"I have always enjoyed working for the Wirtschaftsbund and my counterparts can sense that too," said Thaler. "Good cooperation across generations and independence from the government program: a combination of both makes us strong," said Thaler.

Franz Hörl's future role
Whether Hörl will be nominated for the National Council again is a matter for the party committees, explained LH Anton Mattle. His priority is the EU election. Thaler will not be running for the National Council. Her tasks are the company, the Economic Association and the Chamber of Commerce. Hörl's candidacy for the National Council was a decision for the governor. In any case, he is 100% behind the Governor's decision. 

Thematic focus 
Thaler's speech focused on emphasizing values: "Strong values are a good foundation, every company needs them. Franz also gave a very good speech."