Styria: Former Governor Drexler Withdraws from Politics

Ex-Governor Drexler will attend the state parliament session on November 25 to bid farewell. "Then I will have been in the state parliament for exactly 25 years," he explained. The withdrawal from politics was not entirely unexpected, as Drexler had already hinted at such a step after the 2024 state election, after negotiating the coalition agreement with the FPÖ and then being rather unceremoniously removed from the party leadership. His successor was Manuela Khom. Drexler became the second president of the state parliament.

Ex-Governor Drexler rose politically in the ÖAAB

The politician, who rose in the ÖAAB, is expected to remain honorary chairman of the Styrian ÖAAB, with no further political role. At Sanlas Holding - which operates sanatoriums and nursing homes - Drexler is to take on a leadership position in personnel and contract partner management. Drexler was for many years the health officer in the Styrian state government and is considered highly knowledgeable in health matters.

Long before his time as the ninth governor of Styria since 1945, Drexler was considered the designated successor to former state leader Hermann Schützenhöfer. The native of Graz is described as liberal-minded, rhetorically skilled, and well-educated. The lawyer Drexler was chairman of the Styrian People's Party's parliamentary club from 2003 to 2014, before rising to the position of state councilor in 2014, and from then on, he always advanced his own political career alongside Schützenhöfer. In 2017, he received his desired portfolio, culture, in which the native of Graz - also as governor. Drexler received praise for his Culture Strategy 2030.

Styrian VP Leader: "Wish him all the best"

State party chairwoman and deputy governor Khom said in a written response in the afternoon: "I respect Christopher Drexler's decision to take new paths." She wanted to thank him sincerely for his work in recent years. As a member of parliament, club chairman, state councilor, governor, and president of the state parliament, he always worked for Styria with a lot of energy and political passion. "Christopher was always a politician in all his roles who was wholeheartedly and fully dedicated to our Styrian People's Party. And through this work, he was and is always part of our Styrian People's Party family - even if he will no longer hold an active political role in the future," said Khom. She wished him all the best for his new task. The decision on his mandate succession as well as the succession as the second president of the state parliament will be made promptly in the appropriate party committees and communicated in due course.

About the person: Christopher Drexler was born on March 15, 1971, in Graz, has four children, and is married to Iris Drexler. The family has lived in Passail in Eastern Styria since July 2020. Drexler studied law from 1989 to 1995 and became the state chairman of the Young ÖVP in 1991. From there, his path led him through the ÖAAB to top positions in the Styrian People's Party.

(APA/Red)

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