Mandates resigned

Mayor affair: Opposition forces new election

(Former) Mayor Hannes Koza after the alleged "attack" in December 2024.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Imre Antal Screenshot/Facebook.com)

The end of a unique dispute: After ÖVP mayor Hannes Koza defied all criticism in 2024 and won the early municipal council election in Vösendorf (Lower Austria), he resigned in February following new allegations. New elections will now follow.

"I wanted to put myself in the role of a victim", explained Mayor Hannes Koza in Vösendorf after investigations into allegations of an attack became known - and resigned via a statement on social media.

The background: almost a year ago, the so-called invoice affair caused deep rifts in the political landscape of the village in the district of Mödling. However, Koza defied all criticism and was able to secure an absolute majority in the local council elections. After an "attack" in which Koza is said to have suffered injuries in December 2024, the police finally investigated for faking the attack. Koza pulled the ripcord.

The ÖVP, as the governing party with Birgit Petross at the helm, wanted to continue working with a "five-point plan" after the sudden turnaround in this case. The SPÖ was offered (ultimately in vain) a deputy mayor's office. But this is no longer possible. All opposition parties have resigned their mandates. New elections are therefore unavoidable.

FPÖ spokesperson Kerstin Liebl: "A fresh start is necessary to regain the citizens' trust in politics." And SPÖ politicians from Vösendorf add: "A fresh start can only be achieved with a democratic and legitimate election."

Trial on March 20

The former mayor will have to answer for allegedly fabricating an attack on himself at the Wiener Neustadt regional court on March 20. Diversion has been suggested, the presumption of innocence applies.