Green Party Elects Gewessler as Kogler's Successor
At the Federal Congress of the Greens in Vienna, Leonore Gewessler is running for election as the federal spokesperson to succeed Werner Kogler, who is focusing on his mandate in the National Council. There are no opposing candidates, and the party leadership fully supports the former Climate Protection Minister. The other board positions will also be newly filled.
Greens confirm transition from Kogler to Gewessler
Werner Kogler, one of the party's founders in the 1980s, initially took over the Greens on an interim basis after the election debacle in 2017. From autumn 2018, he served (with 99 percent approval) as the elected federal spokesperson, led the party's comeback in the National Council in 2019, and successfully negotiated a government coalition with the ÖVP, in which he served as Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Arts, Culture, Public Service, and Sports from 2020 to January 2025. In 2022, he was re-elected to the party leadership, still with 96.4 percent approval.
Part of the green government team was also Kogler's Styrian compatriot Gewessler. As a contentious Climate Protection Minister, she quickly won over the party. Kogler had brought the political manager back to the Greens from Global 2000 after he had ordered the movement, entangled in internal conflicts, to open up to a "coalition party." With CO2 pricing and the climate bonus, the climate ticket, the EU renaturation against the will of the ÖVP, or the rejection of highway projects, she certainly ruffled some political opponents, but internally she acted as a much-celebrated figure of integration.
Greens also elect six new members of the federal board
In the National Council election last year, the Greens suffered significant losses, and their participation in the government came to an end. In April 2025, they then set the transition from Kogler to Gewessler in motion. Gewessler announced her candidacy, and potential competitors like Alma Zadić and Stefan Kaineder immediately assured her of their support. The consensus candidate went on a promotional and listening tour across the country, and by the end of the application deadline on June 1, it was clear that no one would challenge her for the position.
Gewessler will be elected on Sunday at the 47th Federal Congress of the party at the Messe Wien under the motto "Green Holds." Six new members of the federal board will also be elected - including the financial officer. Candidates for the federal board include former Justice Minister Alma Zadić, Barbara Neßler, Franz Klug, Helga Krismer, Peter Kraus, Stefan Kaineder, and for the position of financial officer, Bernhard Seitz. All these positions will be elected for three years. There are 265 delegates eligible to vote.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.