Salzburg deputy governor Schnöll prepares to leave politics

Salzburg Deputy Governor Stefan Schnöll is apparently preparing to leave politics, ORF reported, with the 38-year-old expected to inform the ÖVP party executive on Monday evening and begin the process of choosing his successor.

According to internal information, Schnöll is moving into the private sector. He had previously indicated that he did not intend to remain in senior politics indefinitely. As the government official responsible for public transport, he strongly and consistently promoted its modernisation, earning respect from political opponents as well as supporters.

His departure is nevertheless considered surprising. Schnöll recently advanced the digitisation of the tourism overnight-stay tax and the electrification of the Pinzgau local railway. He remains highly regarded within Salzburg’s ÖVP, while recent opinion polls continued to show high levels of popularity and trust among the public. He also has the confidence of figures in other parties.

His biggest political defeat was the failed public referendum on the S-Link project. Schnöll emerged from that period without lasting political damage and appeared to have personally moved past it.

Schnöll has never concealed his wish to leave politics eventually and spend more time with his family. He has had little of that time in recent years as deputy governor. ORF said Schnöll was unavailable for comment on Saturday. His office responded to an inquiry with “no comment.”