Gumpoldskirchen

Heurigen village is now firmly in female hands

Winegrower and law student form the ÖVP dual leadership: Dagmar Händler (left) and Natalie Scharschon (right).

(Bild: Gemeinde Gumpoldskirchen)

This has never happened before in Gumpoldskirchen: ÖVP deputy mayor Dagmar Händler has been promoted to head of Gumpoldskirchen, Natalie Scharschon is her deputy.

In terms of seats, nothing has changed for the ÖVP in Gumpo-Idskirchen, but some things have changed at the top. Mayor Ferdinand Köck - who was head of the village for 20 years - retired. Now, for the first time, the idyllic wine-growing community in the district of Mödling is governed by a female duo.

For the first time in the village: two women at the helm
In Lower Austria, 15 percent of all municipalities are led by female mayors. Dagmar Händler is a new addition to the ranks. She is joined by Natalie Scharschon, a deputy mayor.

56-year-old Dagmar Händler has been a member of the municipal council since 2016 and has been Köck's deputy since 2023. Born in Gumpoldskirchen, she is a winemaker, married and the mother of two grown-up daughters. Natalie Scharschon has been on the municipal council for five years and is the youngest at the age of 23. Her motto: "Face people across party lines with an open mind." In her private life, she is mainly seen around the vineyards with her golden retriever. In general, the newly elected municipal council is very young. "Nine councillors are under 35 years old," emphasizes local leader Händler.

There is a lot to do in the next five years. "There is a new administration center and hall to be built, a number of road projects are on the agenda and the topic of housing is also a top priority," says Händler.