Graz KPÖ and Greens agree coalition deal

Graz’s KPÖ and Greens have agreed to form the city’s next governing coalition, ORF reported on Thursday. The two parties hold a narrow majority in the municipal council and will present their coalition on Friday.

KPÖ Mayor Elke Kahr and Green Deputy Mayor Judith Schwentner plan to continue working together after several exploratory talks. The coalition will be presented at noon at Graz City Hall, where the parties will also announce how responsibilities will be divided.

The June 28 municipal election gave the KPÖ a clear lead over the other parties and widened its advantage over the Austrian People’s Party compared with 2021. Over the past five years, the KPÖ governed with the Greens and the Social Democratic Party. The new coalition will not include the Social Democrats.

Negotiations in smaller working groups continued for about a month after the two parties agreed in principle to continue their cooperation. Kahr and Schwentner have both described their previous collaboration as trusting and constructive.

Under the proportional representation system, the Austrian People’s Party will appoint two city councillors and the Freedom Party one. The coalition will be presented by Kahr, Robert Krotzer and Manfred Eber of the KPÖ, together with Schwentner. Responsibilities for individual departments may change from the previous five-year term.