New federal government

Eibinger-Miedl about to jump to Vienna

Barbara Eibinger-Miedl and Jörg Leichtfried become part of the federal government.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Christian Jauschowetz, Felicitas Matern)

There had been speculation for a long time about Styria's participation in the future federal government, but now it is certain: ÖVP Regional Councillor for Economic Affairs Barbara Eibinger-Miedl will be State Secretary for Finance, and Jörg Leichtfried from the SPÖ will be a second Styrian State Secretary (Interior).

"Even before the National Council elections, I emphasized several times that a reform partnership at federal level will be needed to improve the competitiveness of our location and to tackle the other major challenges currently facing our country. It is a great honor for me that I can now actively participate in a reform agenda of the political center in the finance department," said Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (ÖVP), who is still a member of the Styrian Economic Council, in a first statement on Friday afternoon.

The law graduate and business economist has been part of the black negotiating team at federal level from the outset, and her name was repeatedly mentioned as a ministerial candidate during the initial talks between the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS, which ultimately failed.

"Good time for change"
Now it's a done deal: the 45-year-old, who has been a member of the provincial government for almost eight years, is moving to Vienna. "Consolidating the budget is certainly not an easy task, but it is all the more important. I am convinced that I can make good use of my many years of political experience here. After around eight years in the provincial government and previously three years as a member of the Styrian parliament, it is now a good time for me to make a change," added Eibinger-Miedl in a written statement.

ÖVP leader and deputy governor Manuela Khom is likely to have prevailed in her party, her Styrian colleague who is still in government is to hold up the white-green flag in the three-party coalition.

The state secretariat intended for Eibinger-Miedl is located in the Ministry of Finance, which, as is well known, is to be run by the SPÖ again after a 25-year break. Since Thursday, economist Markus Marterbauer has been the favorite for the post, which is particularly hotly contested within the SPÖ.

Focus on combating extremism
There is also Styrian participation in the SPÖ government team: Jörg Leichtfried from Bruck, who has already served as an MEP, provincial councillor, transport minister and parliamentary deputy to party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner, will become State Secretary for the Interior. "We know that we are facing major challenges, particularly in the area of combating extremism. There is a need to catch up here. Our security authorities are doing a great job. I see it as my main task to support them in adapting even better to the new reality - for example with targeted and constitutionally compliant surveillance options," reads an initial reaction.