Salzburger Landtag elected Edtstadler as Governor

Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) received 29 out of 36 votes today, Wednesday, in the Salzburg State Parliament. The election was conducted openly by a show of hands. Thus, for the second time, a woman moves into the executive office in the Chiemseehof. From 2004 to 2013, Salzburg already had a female governor with Gabriele "Gabi" Burgstaller (SPÖ). Edtstadler was surprisingly nominated as Haslauer's successor at the beginning of the year. Since February, she has been acting as the executive state party chairwoman of the ÖVP, and last Saturday she was officially elected as the party leader at the state congress with 97.5 percent.

Edtstadler after election as Governor: "I will go my own way"

In her government statement, Edtstadler first thanked the deputies for their vote of confidence and her predecessor Wilfried Haslauer: "I will build on your work, but not follow in your footsteps, rather go my own way," she said to the now former governor. She wants to lead the government with "courage, energy, and a willingness to shape" into the second half of the legislative period and "strive to give the best for the country and its people."

There is plenty to do, emphasized the new governor, citing challenges in the economy, housing, and health. "No one can handle this alone." Therefore, it requires a joint commitment to necessary measures that will not evoke enthusiasm. At the same time, she does not want to raise false and unrealistic expectations. "Not everything can be solved in an instant."

Three priorities in the future work of the Salzburg state government

The current state government has been in office since June 2023, and since then numerous projects have been implemented, such as making housing affordable again in the state. Massive investments have been initiated in the cultural location - especially in the festival halls - and the infrastructure in the "most beautiful state of Austria" has been advanced - such as the expansion of broadband internet.

"But there is still much ahead of us." As at the ÖVP state congress last Saturday and at her state parliament hearing on Monday, Edtstadler named three priorities: First, "internal and external security," which also includes social security, second, securing and strengthening the economic location of Salzburg with a reduction of "excessive" bureaucracy, and third, the connection between tradition and modernity.

Haslauer in Salzburg State Parliament: "It was an honor and the accolade of my life"

Previously, the outgoing Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) stepped up to the podium in the state parliament for the last time to announce "after 21 years hereby the resignation of my position as Governor and member of the state government." He emphasized once again how the world has changed in the past 21 years, "and in the midst of it stands our beautiful small state of Salzburg, which has become more prosperous, safer, and many people have found a new home, even if they were not always welcome." Haslauer entered politics in 2004 and was initially Deputy Governor under Burgstaller for nine years.

However, not everything is positive, of course. Haslauer mentioned, among other things, the transit avalanche and traffic load, a problematic cost dynamic, climate change, immigration, and migration. "I do not want to evaluate my work today, (…), but there are some things that please me," he cited economic successes, the revival of the Saalfelden Jazz Festival, the reconstruction of the Pinzgau Railway, or the cultural buildings as examples.

"I bid farewell without regret, with great gratitude. I thank you for your commitment to Salzburg, for the different societal concepts you find right and advocate for, that is democracy." His decision for politics was a decision "out of love for Salzburg," "and whoever makes decisions out of love always decides correctly. It was a great honor and the accolade of my life, God bless you all."

Reshuffles in government departments after Edtstadler's election

With Edtstadler's election on Wednesday, there was also a reorganization of responsibilities in the state government. The new Governor takes over areas such as Internal Services, Volunteering, Disaster Protection, Folk Culture, Municipalities, and State Holdings - which often means good representation opportunities. Deputy Governor Marlene Svazek (FPÖ) receives - as a concession from the People's Party to the Freedom Party - new responsibilities for the labor market and fire services.

There are also reshuffles in the ÖVP departments: ÖVP State Councilor Josef Schwaiger takes over finances, while remaining responsible for energy, agriculture, the national park, and asylum. Deputy Governor Stefan Schnöll retains culture, tourism, and transport and gains museums, previously the responsibility of the Governor. Science and research move to ÖVP State Councilor Daniela Gutschi - who continues to oversee health, education, women, and equality and newly receives the prestigious renaturation project "Antheringer Au."

(APA/Red)

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