Association of municipalities is preparing to replace its president

The municipal association is preparing to replace its controversial president Alfred Riedl (ÖVP). At today’s Federal Executive Board meeting, a reform of the statutes will allow the President to be voted out.

Riedl only suspended his office in the summer because of allegations that he had benefited financially from a property deal in his community of Grafenwörth thanks to rezoning. However, the community association hopes that Riedl will avoid being voted out by resigning. Riedl will not be present at today’s meeting, where reports on financial equalization are also on the agenda. He no longer holds any positions in the community association, and it is clear that he will not return to his role, according to the community association.

Print from Upper Austria

Upper Austria’s Municipal Association President Christian Mader (VP), among others, had pushed for the possibility of voting out the president in the statutes (this does not currently exist) – the OÖNachrichten reported. In a letter from the Upper Austrian Municipal association – signed by Mader and dated October 18th – to the municipal association executive committee says: “Unfortunately it has to be noted that President Riedl has obviously backed away from the promises he made (no return to the top of the municipal association)”.

Therefore, “with all Riedl’s merits,” we would like to take precautionary measures if an amicable solution with Riedl is not possible, according to the letter that is available to the OÖN.

Riedl once again ruled out voluntary resignation at the end of October and explained that he first wanted to wait for the audit procedures from the state auditor’s office and the district administration.

The new statutes should stipulate that in future it will be possible to vote out a president with a two-thirds majority and two-thirds present. If Riedl does not leave voluntarily, the community association could initiate his deselection and new elections at the earliest at the beginning of 2024 – when the change to the statutes becomes legally binding.

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