Vienna's ÖVP has appointed a new leader

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After grueling talks, Markus Figl found his name etched as the fresh chair of the ÖVP Vienna. Born in the heart of politics, Figl's life was more or less destined for the political arena. With the ÖVP Vienna mourning the chaos that plagued them after Vienna's election, Karl Mahrer, who stepped down due to a dismal one-digit result, expressed faith in Figl's succession. At 51, Figl had previously held the position of district mayor in the Inner City.

Yet, the district mayor of Döbling, Daniel Resch, also showed interest in the top spot. However, Figl clinched the victory with 21:3 votes. In case the People's Party forms a city hall coalition, Resch would be entrusted with a government position.

Figl now confronts the mammoth task of reviving the Wiener ÖVP. The municipal council election on Sunday delivered a harsh blow to the turquoise party. Nearly reaching the historically worst result of 2015, the capital's VP plummeted to 9.7 percent.

Markus Figl: The Political Bloodhound

Born on November 14, 1973, Figl, who is also a close ally of the former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, was nurtured in the Young ÖVP. Figl, a lawyer by profession, lives in Vienna's city center. Politically, he was socialized in the Young ÖVP, and from 2005 to 2010, he was the deputy district chairman of Vienna. A surprising demotion to a simple district councilor by the then district chief Ursula Stenzel marked a coup at the time, causing a stir in the ÖVP Vienna.

However, Figl was elected with a whopping 95% approval as the district party chairman of the City Blacks in 2011. In 2014, he triumphed as the top candidate for the district council elections with 100% support. Since December 2015, he has held the reins as the district mayor of the Vienna City.

Figl's political journey has been marked by key associations. He worked as a cabinet employee under ÖVP Minister Michael Spindelegger, giving him valuable insights into government roles. Figl's association with the former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz indicates his presence in high-level political circles[1].

As district mayor, Figl has outlined his vision for the center: To transform it into a bustling city center instead of a deserted downtown area. Figl's first project was the renovation of Stephansplatz[1]. However, he has expressed dismay over another Viennese landmark: the iconic Fiaker carriages. The horse droppings are a thorn in his side, perhaps literally for his nose[1]. He has even voiced the idea of completely banning the carriages due to costs involved in the renovation of the streets damaged by the horseshoes[1].

Traffic and Urban Development Goals

In the realm of car traffic, Figl has big visions, though not all have materialized yet. He fought against opening neighboring parking lots and advocates for comprehensive traffic calming. He wants district residents to have more room as non-resident vehicles are to be banished to garages[1]. Despite legal hurdles, this project remains a priority[1].

Figl's political prowess was evident during the recent election: In Vienna's city center, he secured the first place with the best result of all districts, but the result represented a loss of around 4 percentage points[1]. Undoubtedly, these four points are not a setback for a man with the iron determination of a true political bloodhound.

Markus Figl's appointment as the mayor of ÖVP Vienna signals a new economic and social policy direction, given his previous successes in the district mayorship and general news-worthy political endeavors.
As the new mayor of ÖVP Vienna, Markus Figl faces a significant challenge in reviving the party's reputation, especially after the recent municipal council election resulted in a dismal 9.7 percent for the capital's VP.
Despite facing competition from Daniel Resch, Figl clinched the mayoral position with a majority vote, demonstrating his strong influence within the ÖVP Vienna's policy-and-legislation sphere.
Figl's political future in Viennese politics remains intriguing, as his close alliance with former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his ambitious plans for urban development and traffic management continue to shape the city's economic and social landscape.