"Caprese" in Innsbruck

Opponents at election party: Is this a new coalition?

Voted out Willi, SPÖ leader Mayr and the new Innsbruck city leader Johannes Anzengruber (from left).

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof)

Johannes Anzengruber (JA - Jetzt Innsbruck), who emerged victorious from the mayoral run-off election, was greeted euphorically by his supporters in the Treibhaus restaurant on Sunday evening. However, political opponents were also spotted at the election party. Probably another indication of the future coalition in the Tyrolean capital.

"It's just getting started," said Anzengruber. Now it's time to "move Innsbruck forward", said the new mayor, welcoming the arrival of his political rivals.

Cheers from Innsbruck's new mayor.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof)

"This is your and our success," said Anzengruber, celebrating his direct supporters and companions. The "common good" had been at the forefront of his "movement" and he had tried to "take as many with him" as possible. Special thanks also go to his family, emphasized the former Almwirt.

"Caprese" coalition in Innsbruck likely
Remarkable and politically piquant: Georg Willi (Greens), who was defeated in the run-off election and is now the former head of the city, joined Anzengruber on the Treibhaus stage, as did SPÖ mayoral candidate Councillor Elisabeth Mayr (SPÖ). "We will do something good," Anzengruber quietly hinted at a future collaboration.

In other words, a "Caprese" coalition: an alliance of red (tomato), green (basil) and mozzarella white (YES list).

Willi: "A very good sign"
Willi saw it as a "very good sign that we are all together". They all share the same goals. Willi also recalled Anzengruber's deselection as deputy mayor. "Getting up and carrying on" was crucial, praised the defeated Willi. Mayr said that Innsbruck had opted for something "new" and congratulated his competitor. A center-left coalition of the same parties was recently considered likely.

Voted out Willi, SPÖ leader Mayr and the new Innsbruck city leader Johannes Anzengruber (from left).

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof)

Mayr, Anzengruber, Willi

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof)

Hörl and Dornauer also at the party
Anzengruber had previously been welcomed on the forecourt amid confetti rain, bubble guns and shouts of "This is what winners look like". The newly elected mayor and his wife Valentina promptly danced on the cobblestones to the sound of a band. The winner of the election was presented with a gift box of Zillertal beer by National Council member Franz Hörl (ÖVP). Deputy Governor Georg Dornauer (SPÖ) also arrived at the Treibhaus on election night.

The Treibhaus cultural venue in Innsbruck, which is not necessarily considered a bourgeois stronghold, was probably also chosen by Anzengruber as a non-partisan signal for his election party. Accordingly, the Greens had already confirmed their attendance beforehand - regardless of the election result.

Cheers also for defeated Willi
The now former head of the city, Willi, had previously been cheered by his fellow Green Party members at the election party despite his defeat. Moved and in tears, he thanked his helpers for the election campaign: "It was just great." The most important thing was that the "party landscape in the municipal council has shifted" and that the Greens emerged as the strongest parliamentary group in the list election.

The initial situation had been "incredibly difficult" for the Greens, Willi looked back in a pub in the old town. Especially since the run-off election winner Anzengruber had announced his candidacy with his own list. Nevertheless, he and his team "refused to be put off". "The election success on April 14 was the reward," he said and admitted: "Things didn't go so well today." He had really believed that "the day would end well. It turned out differently."

Campaign support for the national elections
In addition to the Innsbruck and Tyrolean state Greens, Willi also expressed his gratitude for support from the federal government. Federal spokesman Werner Kogler had traveled to Innsbruck for election day, and Willi had previously received political support from ministers Leonore Gewessler and Alma Zadic. The former mayor also promised the federal Greens campaign support in the National Council election: "We will be fully behind you to make it a great election for the Greens."

Green state spokesperson Gebi Mair paid tribute to Willi: "Bravo, bravo, bravo". He was impressed by what the Innsbruck Greens "got out" of this election. Now the motto must be: "Stand up, straighten your crown, fight on."