Stella Wetzlmair inherited the political gene from her late grandfather Alfred, who was active in the SPÖ in Marchtrenk. Important issues were often discussed at the family table. The 27-year-old, on the other hand, has found her political home in the ÖVP. She has been a municipal councilor in Marchtrenk since 2021, and her parliamentary group has now unanimously elected her as the new city party chairwoman to succeed Kurt Schatzl. She didn’t have to think long about taking on this role, she says in an interview with OÖNachrichten: “I think that young women should have more confidence in politics and not hesitate to take on functions,” emphasizes Wetzlmair, who works in the state service in Governor Thomas Stelzer’s team. Before that, she worked for EU MP Angelika Winzig for five years and worked in Brussels for a year.
Political involvement was important to her even as a teenager. “It always annoyed me when others just moaned but didn’t get involved themselves,” says the Marchtrenk native. She is also the district chairwoman of the Young ÖVP Wels-Land and is running for the National Council election on the district list in second place behind National Council member Klaus Lindinger from Fischlham and in the Hausruck constituency in sixth place.
Commitment to families
In her political work in the town of Marchtrenk, she is primarily concerned with the topics of kindergartens, schools, youth and sports. “We have just submitted a resolution to Mayor Paul Mahr to improve road safety at schools and kindergartens,” says the young politician. She sees an urgent need for action, particularly on Bärenstraße, because there is no zebra crossing for school children there. “Parents tell me they get short of breath when the children have to cross it.” The transport committee will now deal with the issue. The opening hours of kindergartens and crèches will also have to be adjusted to meet demand.
It is important for her to emphasize that “there is a good team behind her and of course this is not a one-woman show.”
Source: Nachrichten
