Parties praise Schnöll as ÖVP faces criticism over exit

Salzburg politicians have praised Deputy Governor Stefan Schnöll’s decision to leave the state government while criticising the ÖVP’s record, ORF reported on Sunday. The Freedom Party and Social Democrats highlighted his work, while the Greens and Communist Party also pointed to shortcomings.

Freedom Party Deputy Governor Marlene Svazek said she had valued Schnöll’s work and personal style. The two previously served together in the National Council representing Salzburg and have worked together in the state government since June 2023.

Svazek said she respected Schnöll’s decision to spend more time with his family and pursue a new career outside politics. She described him as sincere, humane and humorous, adding that she would have liked to continue working with him.

Salzburg Social Democratic Party leader Peter Eder said Schnöll had earned respect across party lines and was a politician valued both professionally and personally. Although his withdrawal had been widely speculated about in recent months, Eder said he had not expected it to happen so soon.

Eder said Governor Karoline Edtstadler was now responsible for quickly finding a successor who could continue Schnöll’s work in the transport and culture portfolios. Salzburg could not afford a standstill, he said, calling for stability and continued cooperation with the city of Salzburg.

Green parliamentary group leader Martina Berthold said she had valued working with Schnöll both when the Greens were in government and later in opposition. She credited him with giving public transport a high priority, but said the Greens had wanted him to push harder on expansion.

Berthold said the S-Link transport project had shown that major transport projects required more than good plans. She also said the S-Bike scheme had lacked momentum for too long and called for the transition in mobility policy to continue with greater determination.

Communist Party parliamentary group leader Natalie Hangöbl said the ÖVP was responsible for many problems in state politics, but acknowledged Schnöll’s efforts to improve public transport. She cited the tourist mobility levy, regional buses and the Climate Ticket.

Hangöbl said it remained to be seen whether Edtstadler would continue this course or reverse it. Parts of the state party and the ÖVP’s Salzburg city organisation could learn from Schnöll instead of condemning every attempt to find transport policy solutions, she said.

Schnöll announced on Saturday that he would leave his political offices in November after eight and a half years and move into the private sector. The ÖVP plans to present his successor in the coming days.