Bettina Emmerling takes over the position in the Vienna city government from Christoph Wiederkehr, who will move to the federal government as Minister of Education for the NEOS.

Wiederkehr Remains Top Candidate of Vienna NEOS for Vienna Election

Formally, Wiederkehr also enters the race as the top candidate for the Vienna election on April 27. The pink lists were decided last Saturday during a member assembly. It is not possible to change this anymore, explained the outgoing city councillor. However, he communicates transparently and openly that he does not seek a mandate or office in Vienna. Anyway, the NEOS are entering the race as a team, he noted. In the election campaign, however, the municipal councillor Selma Arapovic, who is ranked second on the list, is expected to play a more important role. She was already present at the media event today. When Emmerling will actually be sworn in as city councillor and deputy mayor is still open. It is possible that there could be an additional city council meeting next week. Because it would take some time until the next regular meeting, which is scheduled for March 26.

Bettina Emmerling Successor to Christoph Wiederkehr

The succession at the pink club leadership has not yet been decided. The appointment will be made during a meeting of the club's full assembly, it was said today. This is also supposed to happen next week. Emmerling asserted that it is a "great honor" for her to be nominated as city councillor. She will take on the task with humility and full passion. She praised the implementation of government projects in the coalition with the SPÖ and emphasized: "We have not just managed the education sector."

The outgoing head of department Wiederkehr is hopeful for the Vienna election campaign and the ballot. He aims for a continuation of cooperation with the SPÖ: "I am confident that a joint majority will be achieved." The pink changes are subject to the NEOS member assembly, where the coalition pact negotiated at the federal level with the ÖVP and SPÖ will be voted on Sunday. Wiederkehr is also optimistic here. He assumes that the committee will make a wise decision, he reiterated once again today.

(APA/Red)

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