New election imminent

Mayor scandal: candidate for successor fixed

Mayoral candidate Patrick Kainz (left) and Deputy Mayor Stefan Fuchs, both ÖVP.

(Bild: Christian Schulter)

The 2024 super election year has one more facet for the residents of Rudersdorf-Dobersdorf. Following the mayor's resignation, there will be another ballot this year. The candidates vying for the office of head of the village are fixed.

Relationship conflict with far-reaching consequences: The previous mayor of the market town of Rudersdorf with the district of Dobersdorf was reportedly banned from entering and approaching by the police at Easter. This was triggered by a heated argument with his wife in a pub.

Mulling over succession
The local ÖVP leader took the consequences after the incident and resigned. Since then, the parliamentary group has been pondering his successor. "Everyone has given it some thought. Several possible candidates were under discussion. Some persistent rumors have also surfaced," reports from the community.

Unanimous decision
Now the candidate has been chosen. At the turquoise parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday evening, the decision was unanimous in favor of municipal council member Patrick Kainz. The police officer and section commander of the fire department in the Jennersdorf district wants to "stay on the ground".

"No election campaign"
It is a local election that is about personalities. We need to be close to the people," he says. For him, it is certainly not an election campaign, rather he sees the challenges of the coming weeks as "campaigning".

David Venus, the first deputy mayor and current interim head of the town, wants to score points for the SPÖ. According to the provincial electoral authority, the polls are not expected to open until after the summer.