Mayor of Neunkirchen Resigns

"This decision was not easy for me, as I have carried out my work as mayor with great commitment and passion," said the mayor of Neunkirchen, Klaudia Osztovics (ÖVP). For Berlosnig, the resignation came "very unexpectedly," he noted in a Facebook video.

After the Resignation of the Mayor of Neunkirchen: Kessler Nominated as Successor

The municipal council must convene within 14 days to decide on a successor. According to the town hall, the mayoral election could take place during the meeting on December 1. Wolfgang Kessler, nominated by the ÖVP, is the chairman of the Neunkirchen Economic Association and runs an advertising agency. He currently holds no mandate in the municipal council. "In the current situation, bold decisions and fresh ideas are needed - he is the right person for that," emphasized ÖVP city party chairman Anton Zwazl. However, there was criticism from the opposition. According to "NÖN," the SPÖ and the Greens also brought up the possibility of a new election. An election would have to be called if at least two-thirds of the municipal council mandates are not filled.

In the municipal council election this year on January 26, the ÖVP secured 13 of the 37 mandates, the SPÖ twelve, and the FPÖ nine. The Greens won three seats. In October, controversial cuts for budget consolidation were decided. Before the municipal council meeting, the FPÖ state party announced that all representatives who voted for the measures would be expelled from the party. Ultimately, according to the ÖVP, in addition to the black mandates, seven out of nine councilors on the Freedom Party seats also agreed. "The ÖVP and a handful of others have failed with the consolidation on the backs of the population. The fact that the mayor is now pulling the ripcord and throwing in the towel only shows that the coalition is at an end," responded FPÖ district party chairman Robert Toder in a statement on Monday. The responsibility for the current situation lies "clearly with the ÖVP and all those who participated," he said.

(APA/Red)

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