NEOS leader says thank you

Strolz gives up: Emotional message on the web

Matthias Strolz from Vorarlberg was a co-founder of the NEOS. Since last year, there have been repeated rumors of a political comeback for the 51-year-old. This has now come to nothing, Strolz is leaving politics for good.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/APA/Georg Hochmuth, Screenshot/x.com/matstrolz)

Last week he did not rule out a comeback on krone.tv, but now NEOS founder Matthias Strolz (51) is finally leaving party politics. And with a very emotional message on X. But even as a non-member, he will remain connected to the Pinken. NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger has since reacted to his withdrawal. 

"For me personally, a major chapter in my life is coming to an end in these weeks. I am leaving party politics", Strolz wrote on X on Tuesday.

Posting on X: Matthias Strolz leaves politics

Strolz now wants to do "peace work" 
His heart and his needs would call him into (international) peace work, "into accompanying healing and development as well as into non-partisan commitments, committed to the common and the whole". In his post, Strolz refers to quotes from the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst C.G. Jung.

At the beginning of last week, Strolz gave an interview on krone.tv in which he announced that he would be available as the future Minister of Education. "When it comes to education, it's my life's work and I would take on responsibility again," the 51-year-old emphasized at the time. 

Headwind within the NEOS?
One reason for the withdrawal could also be that not everyone within the pink party is happy about Strolz's ambitions. "It's not about positions or who does what," is the official statement from the NEOS. 

Strolz puts things into perspective: "Leave party politics, not politics"
After his post went viral, Strolz spoke out again on X and clarified: "I'm leaving party politics, not politics."

Strolz is keeping his ministerial post open
He is also continuing his commitment to education. His willingness to take on more creative responsibility ("right up to minister") remains unchanged. Strolz emphasizes: "It is for others to decide. And the time for such decisions is not now, that is also clear."

As a non-member of the NEOS, he will remain associated with the Pinken. "You also have my vote in this ballot." In the current National Council election campaign, he campaigned for his party in his home state of Vorarlberg under his well-known slogan "Lifting wings".

Meinl-Reisinger: "Cheerfully onwards!"
NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger has since reacted to Strolz's departure. "It was always very important to him to be the pilot of his own life. So now he has also embarked on this new course for himself and we are sure he will find the right runway," Meinl-Reisinger wrote on Twitter. And added: "In this spirit and on the best of terms: Thanks again to you, Matthias! Cheerfully on!"

Retirement in May 2018
Strolz, from Vorarlberg, was a co-founder of the Pinken. He was elected Chairman at the founding convention in October 2012. In May 2018, he withdrew from politics and Beate Meinl-Reisinger took over the helm of the NEOS. Since the previous year, there have always been rumors of a political comeback for the 51-year-old.