"Krone" commentary

Waterloo for ÖVP in Innsbruck, victory for rebels

(Bild: stock.adobe.com, Krone KREATIV)

A commentary by Claus Meinert, editor-in-chief of the "Tiroler Krone" on the defeated municipal council and mayoral elections in Innsbruck.

What was the tension that built up in the run-up to this municipal and mayoral election in Innsbruck? How will it turn out, surely you know more? I was asked that several times, and not just on election day. My answer was always: I know nothing, really zero, niente, nada!

Shortly before 6 p.m., rumors about the result began to spread. One statement in particular was doing the rounds: a total disaster for the ÖVP. Less than an hour later, it was clear that the Greens - for whatever reason - had emerged relatively stable from this election, despite all the prophecies of doom. The Freedom Party, always described as the favorites in the run-up to the election, were proved wrong, just as in Salzburg. The trees don't grow to the sky in Tyrol either.

The smart former landlord of a Tyrolean mountain pasture seems to have what the ÖVP and many other politicians generally lack.

Claus Meinert, Chefredakteur der „Tiroler Krone“

On the other hand, "ÖVP rebel" Johannes Anzengruber - who was expelled from the party by the blacks beforehand and then went it alone - can rejoice. The smart former landlord of a Tyrolean mountain pasture seems to have what the ÖVP and many other politicians generally lack: access to the people and their real problems. Anzengruber will go into the run-off - against the incumbent mayor Georg Willi. And he will win this run-off. Because anything other than the prostrate ÖVP in Innsbruck (and also the Freedom Party) not recommending him for election would be a declaration of bankruptcy.

The ÖVP in Innsbruck must now lick its wounds. Some ladies and gentlemen MUST now disappear from the scene forever. Governor Anton Mattle will also have to lick his wounds. He, as well as his predecessor Günther Platter, have always watched the "colorful black hustle and bustle" in the Tyrolean capital, never got it under control, let alone intervened at some point.

Johannes Anzengruber, as a former ÖVP member, will laugh. Laugh out loud. Nothing more. He will stay on the ground and not pop the champagne corks. That's not his style. But the ÖVP in Innsbruck has missed a historic opportunity. Negligently. It will possibly open some good old wines - to forget. To forget for another six years.