Leader Departs - Markus Figl Set to Succeed Defeated ÖVP Party
Starting at 3:30 PM, the Vienna ÖVP's executive board discussions take flight, focusing on the future of retiring OVP leader Karl Mahrer. The grandnephew of legendary OVP chancellor Leopold Figl, Markus Figl, is tipped to assume the reins.
After a disappointing election, the OVP remained tight-lipped on Monday, until the morning mist lifted, revealing Markus Figl, the mayor of the 1st district, as the probable new leader.
- OVP lost mainly to FPO
- SPO leading in all districts, OVP faltering
- All pleading for SPO coalition
Mahrer and Sverak amplified FPO
The shocking defeat wasn't a surprise: the OVP lost more than half their votes with Mahrer leading on Sunday - today, they'll likely decide whether they'll also be overtaken by NEOS and become the smallest city party. However, Mahrer's "FPO-light" strategy to halt the voter bleed failed miserably. Instead, Mahrer and party secretary Peter Sverak echoed FPO themes, fueling their success.
No sacred cows
Discussion about the party leader sparked immediately. While Mahrer left the fate of his political career uncertain on election night, confirmation came on Monday. The 70-year-old Mahrer's tenure will soon end, and with it, his upcoming court appearance as a defendant. An OVP veteran, senior chief Ingrid Korosec, called for "no sacred cows" on Sunday. Even the powerful Vienna Chamber of Commerce president Walter Ruck wanted Mahrer out.
Figl versus Resch
However, the potential successors were few: the district mayor of Döbling, Daniel Resch, a favorite contender backed by the influential Vienna Chamber of Commerce president Walter Ruck. Yet, it's likely to be someone else: the mayor of the 1st district, Markus Figl, seems poised to take the helm, according to oe24. Figl is expected to be proposed by Mahrer, with strong likelihood of succeeding him, though not a certainty.
Who is Markus Figl?
Born on November 14, 1973, Figl is a lawyer and a grandnephew of Chancellor Leopold Figl (1902-1965), popular due to his folksiness. As foreign minister, Leopold Figl was one of the signatories of the State Treaty in 1955. Figl's grandfather was Leopold Figl's older brother.
Markus Figl entered politics through then-vice chancellor Michael Spindelegger, working in his office. In 2005, he became a deputy to city mayor Ursula Stenzel (FPO), serving as the district mayor of Inner City since December 22, 2015. Figl is married with four children and is considered a close confidant of former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. His ascension marks a significant change for the Vienna ÖVP following the party's poor election performance.
- The Vienna ÖVP's executive board discussions at 3:30 PM focus on the future of retiring OVP leader Karl Mahrer, with Grandnephew of legendary OVP chancellor Leopold Figl, Markus Figl, tipped to assume the reins.
- Disastrous election results for the OVP, losing mainly to FPO and faltering in all districts while SPO led, leading to pleas for an SPO coalition.
- The OVP's failed strategy to halt voter bleed by mirroring FPO themes fueled their success, causing a call for "no sacred cows" by OVP veteran, Senior Chief Ingrid Korosec.
- Markus Figl, the probable new OVP leader, born on November 14, 1973, and a grandnephew of Chancellor Leopold Figl, worked in Michael Spindelegger's office and became the district mayor of Inner City in 2015, marking a significant change for the Vienna ÖVP following the party's poor election performance.
