Tiroler Tageszeitung, editorial, issue of March 14, 2022. By MARCO WITTING. “The Office Bonus in Malus”.
Innsbruck (OTS) – The ÖVP introduced bitter defeats in the runoff elections in Hall and Schwaz yesterday. But not only Hans Lintner was kicked out of office as long-term mayor. Many other local leaders also have to give up their posts.
The fresh breeze that many like to write on the colorful posters at a local council election has turned into a storm between the elections. And swept ten mayors out of office. The official bonus, which is otherwise often brought into the race as a clear advantage for the incumbent local bosses, is in malus. This also messes up state politics.
The ÖVP could still be happy to appoint the mayor in Wörgl in the future. Yesterday, on the other hand, von Imst gave the self-governing mayor’s party several resounding slaps in the face. In Schwaz, the era of Hans Lintner, who was in office for 25 years, is over. The ÖVP had kneeled Lintner months ago in view of poorer poll numbers, but compete again. It was of no use. On the contrary. Lintner’s farewell as mayor of the silver city is one with a crushing defeat. In Hall, too, the ÖVP loses the mayor’s seat that was otherwise planned. There, like there, it has obviously not been possible to establish strong successors. In either case, it was not possible to counteract the headwind and the desire for change. In addition, there was the defeat in Axams and the task in Völs and Wattens. Tailwind for the state elections looks different.
The SPÖ wants to take this up with the sensation in Schwaz. Losing Wörgl is yesterday’s political treasure. But the results show that voters are not afraid to vote for change in turbulent times. There may be increased competition and tighter results. Even if it’s not as tight everywhere as in Wenns, where both candidates received the same number of votes. It has also been shown that a deficit in the first ballot does not necessarily mean a defeat in the run-off. several results were reversed.
The intensified political competition will also become apparent in the coming weeks. Majorities have been shaken up in many places. In fragmented bodies, the fresh wind is no longer of much use. Above all, the mayors need a new willingness to compromise and the ability to forge alliances.
The “Wind of Change” magazine for the election campaign has its charm. In day-to-day work, however, more is needed than the sheer will to change. Otherwise there will be a headwind quite quickly.
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