Leader Question for the FPÖ Burgenland Remains Open Until January

The FPÖ Burgenland has not yet found a successor after Norbert Hofer announced that he would at least give up the position of club chairman due to his move to the private sector. State party leader Alexander Petschnig referred to the club meeting announced for January at a press conference on Wednesday. He himself will stand for re-election at the party conference in October 2026.

No Successor for Hofer Confirmed Yet

A few days ago, Hofer announced that he would give up the club chairmanship and decide by the end of the year whether he would remain in the blue state parliament club. Petschnig explained that this is also the reason why neither he nor the federal party has made a statement on Hofer's remarks so far: "He has requested a period of reflection until the end of the year, and we will have to wait for that."

Club Meeting with Election in January

When long-standing leaders leave the party, gaps are created, admitted the state party chairman. However, he expressed confidence that it will be possible to fill this gap and who will fill it will only be decided later. As announced, there will be a club meeting on January 14 and a state party board meeting beforehand.

When asked if he was surprised by Hofer's decision, Petschnig did not answer, but emphasized that the two had a frictionless collaboration: "I see no discord." At the state party conference in October 2026, he wants to run again as state party chairman, said Petschnig, who himself is not in the state parliament but sits in the national council.

Markus Wiesler, currently deputy club chairman, left open whether he is interested in the position of club chief when asked: "That will be seen in the committees, today the topic is the annual review."

Criticism of the Red-Green State Government

And from the perspective of the Freedom Party, this is devastating regarding the red-green state government: "The SPÖ is destroying the future viability of the state," said Petschnig. The FPÖ, on the other hand, has "achieved quite a bit": "From the perspective of clarification and control, one can speak of successes." For example, they have prevented the waste association from being taken over by the state through influence on the ÖVP. With regard to the state budget, the Freedom Party reiterated their criticism that the "family silver is being completely destroyed."

Governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) would "no longer know professionally what he is doing" and through "princely gestures" document that "doubts about his ability to hold office" are justified, said Petschnig. Wiesler also criticized that Red-Green has left clear traces "of nationalization, rip-off, debt, and the governor's obstinacy."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.