Community association boss:

“Wishes are currently greater than possibilities”

Sampl in front of Goldegg Castle: he wants to be a strong voice for the municipalities.(Bild: Holitzky Roland)

Manfred Sampl from Lungau is the new president of the Salzburg Association of Municipalities. "Times are difficult," he says, referring to the tight budget situation. The election on Wednesday was unanimous. 

The hall was full: representatives from all 118 Salzburg municipalities (excluding the provincial capital) came to Goldegg. Manfred Sampl was the only candidate standing for election as head of the Salzburg Association of Municipalities. His predecessor of many years, Günther Mitterer from St. Johann, has now stepped down. Sampl was elected unanimously.

Handover of office: Manfred Sampl (right) takes over from Günther Mitterer(Bild: Roland Holitzky)

How the new president intends to take office
He is taking over the association of municipalities in difficult times. "The budget situation is our main issue. The wishes are greater than the possibilities," says Sampl. His clear financial demand to the state and federal government: "We have to move away from one-off packages." The municipalities are particularly dependent on support in areas such as childcare and nursing care. Not everything can be dumped on the municipal level.

As President, Sampl wants to ensure fairness above all. "It is important to me that there is cross-party unity." Equal rights for large and small municipalities is key for him. "It's a balancing act," says Sampl, who has been the head of St. Michael since 2009. His mayoral colleague Wolfgang Wagner from Köstendorf was re-elected as Vice President of the association.