Tyrol People’s Party asserts independence from national party

The Tyrolean People’s Party opened its policy congress in Innsbruck on Saturday, seeking to underline its independence from the national party and introduce a separate Tyrolean membership. ORF reported that party leader Anton Mattle also plans to present a new programme ahead of the state election scheduled for autumn 2027.

The programme, titled “Through our own strength”, is intended to set out conditions, goals and perspectives for life in Tyrol across five chapters. About 1,500 party members, officials and supporters contributed to its preparation. A vote on the programme was expected later on Saturday.

“Tyrol is at the centre for us; Tyrol comes first,” Mattle told delegates. He said the party stood for freedom, achievement, property, family and security, including the preservation of social security. More than 350 voting delegates were attending the congress.

A proposed change to the party’s statutes would allow people to join only the Tyrolean branch, without automatically becoming members of the national Austrian People’s Party. Mattle has said he wants the Tyrolean party to become more independent in policy. Shortly before the congress, he called for asylum seekers to be given immediate access to the labour market, a position that differs from the national party’s line.

An evening event titled “A new departure for Tyrol” was expected to draw about 1,000 participants. Guests were due to include Bavarian Premier Markus Söder, South Tyrol Governor Arno Kompatscher and Vorarlberg Governor Markus Wallner.

The planned gathering drew criticism from the Transit Forum. Its head, Fritz Gurgiser, said the invitation was inappropriate because Bavaria and South Tyrol had tolerated problems caused by heavy transit traffic and had not supported measures in Austria to protect residents. He said Bavaria could not be relied on over transit issues.