Election in Pongau

A single vote decides the run-off

Franz Weiss caused a surprise with his citizens' list in Bad Gastein.(Bild: zVg)

The mayoral race in Bad Gastein turns into a thriller. In the district capital there is a "Huber versus Huber" run-off. The deep black Großarl gets a red mayor.

One vote was the deciding factor: Norbert Ellmauer (ÖVP) has to go into the run-off in Bad Gastein. Ellmauer received exactly 50 percent of the votes, one more and the race would have been decided. Competitors in the new mayoral election in two weeks' time: Franz Weiss, mountain hut owner and Gastein veteran. Weiss, previously a member of the municipal council for the ÖVP, also won 29.2 percent with his list from a standing start. "A sensational result," says Weiss.

Hans Ganitzer (SPÖ) becomes the new mayor of Grossarl.(Bild: Arne Müseler)

Not far from the Gastein Valley, an SPÖ mayor will soon be in charge: the deep-black municipality of Grossarl will have a red mayor in Hans Ganitzer. The former member of the provincial parliament replaces Johann Rohrmoser (ÖVP). "This is a historic success, especially for Grossarl," says the former deputy mayor happily. Ganitzer has been retired since January 1st and now wants to devote himself fully to the office of mayor. At municipal level, however, the SPÖ lost, probably also because the newly founded Dorf-FPÖ won 33.46%.

Eveline Huber (center) and her SPÖ team celebrated an important stage victory in St. Johann!(Bild: zVg)

Duel between Huber and Huber in St. Johann im Pongau
In the district capital of St. Johann, Rudolf Huber (ÖVP) and Eveline Huber (SPÖ) will go into the run-off election to succeed long-term town leader Günther Mitterer (ÖVP). Eveline Huber was also able to gain seats on the municipal council with the SPÖ.

The color black is now the trump card in Filzmoos. Josef Hofer (ÖVP) regained the office of mayor from Christian Mooslechner (SPÖ). In Radstadt, Katharina Prommegger (ÖVP), who succeeded provincial councillor Christian Pewny (FPÖ) only last year, was able to defend her position as mayor.

New lists caused surprises in two Ennspongau municipalities. The "Dein Altenmarkt" list gained 29.3 percent from a standing start and has six seats in the municipal council. In Forstau, entrepreneur Gregor Schwarz not only won 37.3 percent with the newly formed "Forstau List", but is also in the run-off - one of a total of five decisive elections in Pongau in two weeks' time on Sunday.