Tursky failed

Debacle! Great ÖVP hopeful a big loser

On Monday, Tursky made an election recommendation to media representatives.

(Bild: Nadine Isser)

He was seen as a beacon of hope for the People's Party, was supposed to bring incumbent Georg Willi of the Greens to his knees and win back the mayor's seat in Innsbruck for the Black Party: former state secretary Florian Tursky. He risked everything with the alliance "Das neue Innsbruck" - and ultimately lost everything on election day. On Monday, he made an explosive election recommendation for the run-off.

The abbreviation "ÖVP" was nowhere to be found on the ballot paper for the Innsbruck municipal council and mayoral election on Sunday. Florian Tursky and "Das neue Innsbruck" - an alliance of Für Innsbruck, the People's Party and the Seniors' Association - were supposed to be the ones to call the shots in the Tyrolean capital in future.

On Monday, Tursky gave an election recommendation to media representatives.

(Bild: Nadine Isser)

Miles away from a run-off election
But nothing came of it. He came 5th in the list election with 10.2 percent and 5th in the direct mayoral election with 10.4 percent. No chance of making it to the run-off.

Johannes Anzengruber, of all people, ended up there - alongside incumbent Georg Willi from the Greens - who, as the previous deputy mayor, actually wanted to run for the ÖVP, but was expelled from the party after internal disputes and voted out as deputy city leader.

Johannes Anzengruber and his team are jubilant.

(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

Election recommendation for Anzengruber
It was eagerly awaited whether there would be any statements of support from the "New Innsbruck" in the run-off election. And indeed. In a personal statement on Monday, Tursky issued an endorsement for Anzengruber.

I congratulate both candidates who have reached the run-off. But it is also quite clear that a new Innsbruck cannot be possible with an old mayor.

Florian Tursky

Tursky explained his decision to numerous media outlets: "I congratulate both candidates who have reached the run-off. But it is also quite clear that a new Innsbruck cannot be possible with an old mayor."

Tursky wants to remain in city politics
The support for Anzengruber comes from him "personally" as well as from the electoral alliance. Tursky also confirmed that he would remain in Innsbruck's local politics despite the bitter loss of votes and the "painful" result. Having entered the race as the leading candidate himself, he also laid claim to the city council post to which his group was entitled.

Results of the mayoral election (1st round): 

Mattle put a good face on the bad game
The ÖVP grandees in the state were licking their wounds for the time being after the defeat: there was certainly no mood of celebration at the election party in the evening. Governor Anton Mattle put on a good face on his arrival, shook hands diligently and greeted everyone in a friendly manner (see video above). 

The smile seemed forced. And his predecessor, former provincial governor Günther Platter, who had campaigned for Tursky during the election campaign, didn't feel like laughing either.

Former provincial governor Günther Platter, provincial governor Anton Mattle and Florian Tursky.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof)

"Hoping for a better result"
They were rather taciturn towards the media on election night. Mattle had "hoped for a better result" for top candidate Florian Tursky. However, the regional leader did not see a mistake in the electoral alliance between the ÖVP, Für Innsbruck and the Seniors' Association: he believes that the "path of the civic forces working together is the right one", said Mattle.

Mattle congratulated the run-off opponents Willi and Anzengruber. He now hopes for a "fair election campaign" over the next two weeks.