Graz's Former Mayor Alfred Stingl Has Died

The long-serving mayor of Graz, Alfred Stingl (SPÖ), passed away on Thursday - one day after his 86th birthday. This was announced by Mayor Elke Kahr (KPÖ) in a press release on Friday. Stingl was the mayor of the Styrian capital from 1985 to 2003 and was considered an important figure even after his time in the town hall. Among other things, he volunteered as a social ombudsman for the "From Person to Person" campaign of the "Woche".

He was "a seeker, a struggler, an aspirant, a servant, as one can hardly imagine a politician more beautifully," Kahr quoted the Forum for World Religions from 2012 in her press release. "His strength of will, his consistency, and his closeness to the citizens shaped his work for decades," Kahr said.

Mayor of Graz from 1985

Alfred Stingl was born on May 28, 1939, in Graz. After a - for a social democrat at the time almost classic - apprenticeship as a typesetter, he became the state secretary of the Young Generation of the SPÖ in 1962. In 1968, the then-mayor Gustav Scherbaum brought him into the city council, and five years later he became city councilor for youth affairs and in 1982 deputy mayor, with the defining agendas of social and health sectors.

From January 10, 1985, Alfred Stingl was the mayor of Austria's second-largest city. Together with the legendary ÖVP leader Erich Edegger, he initiated a modern traffic policy. He was a member of the SPÖ federal party executive, a presidium member of the "steirischer herbst" and chairman of the supervisory board of the Graz fair. The convinced European never followed the call to Vienna, for example from Bruno Kreisky: "It would have been very honorable, but achieving something in local politics is more beautiful and satisfying," Stingl once said. He was considered a largely popular and undisputed mayor across party lines.

Stingl as a convinced public transport user

During Stingl's era, the awarding of UNESCO World Heritage status for the old town and the reconstruction of the Graz synagogue, which was burned down by the Nazis in 1938, took place at his instigation. The culture-affine Stingl was known and respected for his friendly, calm, and thoughtful manner. In the Graz public transport, which he used with conviction, he was still addressed as "Mr. Mayor". He cared for his wife Eli after her stroke for years with great personal commitment until her death in March 2018, while at the same time not letting up in his commitment to the city, human rights, and disadvantaged people: From 2004, he worked with the column "From Person to Person" for the weekly newspaper "Grazer Woche", through which he addressed improvements in precarious situations.

"Legacy lives on in Graz"

Mayor Kahr further said: "He left many traces and was known for his approachable and humble manner. He took the time to personally listen to the concerns of the citizens. He tirelessly fought against social inequalities as long as his health allowed. His legacy lives on in Graz, where his social policies and commitment to the community are still appreciated today. His vision of a just and solidary society is a mandate and a model for future generations for me." Graz will always honor Stingl's memory. "My sympathy goes to his family and all those who have lost a role model, a valued colleague, and friend," said Kahr.

The Styrian SPÖ leader Max Lercher highlighted Stingl's consistent commitment to social issues: "His unwavering belief in the good in people shaped Alfred Stingl's political work and inspired many across party lines." The Graz SPÖ chairwoman Doris Kampus added: "A great social democrat and human being is no more. Alfred Stingl made Graz an open-minded and social city."

"Always Had an Open Ear"

Green Party leader Sandra Krautwaschl said: "He was an influential personality - not only for Graz but far beyond. What distinguished him was his sincere effort to connect people - never to divide." The Graz Deputy Mayor Judith Schwentner (Green) stated: "He always understood politics as dialogue and reaching out, far beyond his term of office. He exemplified his social mindset in a compelling way: As mayor and as a private person, he was always active and in constant contact with people, always had an open ear and a helping hand."

The VinziWerke also expressed great sorrow in a statement: Stingl set a mark for a social city and for people in need and was considered the "social conscience" of the city of Graz after his retirement from politics. Under his leadership, the city of Graz signed the Human Rights Declaration in 2001, declaring itself the "first human rights city in Europe." The newly elected VinziWerke chairwoman Martina Schröck expressed her sadness: "We are very sad to lose a passionate European, great humanist, and close ally of the VinziWerke."

"Attitude, Heart, and Handshake Quality"

"For almost two decades, he was the mayor of the Styrian capital with passion and commitment. Alfred Stingl was a politician close to the citizens. My deepest sympathy goes to his relatives," said Governor Mario Kunasek (FPÖ). His deputy Manuela Khom (ÖVP) stated that the city of Graz and the state of Styria "have lost a great visionary and pioneer who was ahead of his time with many ideas."

Green Party leader Werner Kogler called Stingl a "sincere social democrat and bridge builder." He was a "mayor with attitude, heart, and handshake quality," said the Styrian NEOS leader Niko Swatek. Association of Cities Secretary General Thomas Weninger stated: "My conversations with Alfred Stingl were always characterized by the greatest appreciation, he had perspectives for cities and communities and dedicated himself to them with all his heart. He always had an open ear for the concerns of the Austrian Association of Cities and also advocated for the concerns of cities and communities in Europe."

(APA/Red)

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