Auinger is city leader

“I didn’t expect such a lead”

Papa Auinger congratulated his son - the new mayor of the city of Salzburg

(Bild: ANDREAS TROESTER)

It was a clear-cut victory! Bernhard Auinger won the run-off election to become mayor of Salzburg.The first SPÖ mayor after Heinz Schaden wants to introduce a "new style". Communist Kay-Michael Dankl was happy despite his clear defeat. "To get this far at all is a sensation."

At 4.17 pm: Loud cheering from an adjoining room in the Marble Hall temporarily occupied by the City Party. The screens in Mirabell Palace immediately revealed why: with around ten percent of the vote counted, SPÖ candidate Bernhard Auinger had 59 percent and Kay-Michael Dankl (KPÖ Plus) 41 percent.

Auinger now towers over Mirabell Palace

(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

The Reds, as they later admitted, were certain from this point on that they had recaptured the mayor's seat after seven years of Harry Preuner's reign (ÖVP). 15 minutes later, Auinger gave his first winner interviews. "After the day I met my wife and after the days of the birth of my daughters, this day is one of the best of my life," said Auinger jubilantly and also said: "I was sure of winning. But I didn't expect such a lead myself." Once the ballot cards had been counted, the long-serving deputy was the big winner with 62.5 percent.

The fact that we as KPÖ Plus made it into the run-off is a sensation in itself. The fact that we now have four out of ten votes in the run-off is a great vote of confidence.

Kay-Michael Dankl

Bild: Tröster Andreas

Gentle left-wing poison darts against the People's Party
Communist Dankl had to settle for second place and thus the deputy mayor's office. Not a problem for the political climber, however - and even less of a defeat. "When you look at where we were five years ago, when you see that we now hold ten out of 40 seats on the municipal council, it's quite a sensation," smiled Dankl in the presence of Graz Mayor Elke Kahr.

I have proven that I can work together with everyone. Otherwise 63 percent would not have been possible in the run-off election. I am convinced that we can radiate a new style in the city government.

Bernhard Auinger

He shook hands amicably with his opponent Auinger and was already thinking ahead: "I am confident that the rather difficult cooperation within the city government with the ÖVP over the last five years will now improve."

Auinger will officially take over the new office on May 8. Until then, the 50-year-old will hold talks with the other city councillors Florian Kreibich (ÖVP), Anna Schiester (Citizens' List), Dankl and party colleague Andrea Brandner. "We need to work out how to divide up the tasks and who is most passionate about which department."

Dankl will probably dust off the housing portfolio. It is also clear that there are signs of upheaval - due to the broad left-wing majority. In addition to the SPÖ and Dankl, Schiester also fired a gentle poisoned arrow in the direction of the People's Party. "Now there are no more excuses for many things that people said the ÖVP would prevent."