Greens leader Judith Schwentner elected Graz deputy mayor

Greens leader Judith Schwentner was elected deputy mayor of Graz in the fourth ballot on Friday, ORF reported. She defeated ÖVP leader Kurt Hohensinner after the two parties put forward candidates again during the resumed constituent meeting of the Graz municipal council.

Of 48 votes cast, one was invalid. Schwentner received 27 valid votes, while Hohensinner received 20. The NEOS group supported Schwentner in the final ballot.

The vote followed the re-election of Elke Kahr of the KPÖ as Graz mayor on Thursday, when she received 40 of 48 votes. She was supported by the KPÖ, Greens, SPÖ and ÖVP, while the FPÖ and NEOS did not back her.

The ÖVP had nominated Hohensinner in the first three ballots but failed to secure a majority. Under Graz’s municipal rules, the deputy mayor does not necessarily have to come from the second-strongest party. At least 24 hours must pass between the second and third ballots, so the meeting resumed on Friday after a break of more than 24 hours.

After her election, Schwentner said that more trees, better public transport, safer cycle paths and more space for pedestrians were matters of health, quality of life and social justice. She thanked NEOS for its support and said she looked forward to working with all members of the municipal council and city senate.

The other city senate members were also formally sworn in: Manfred Eber and Robert Krotzer of the KPÖ, Hohensinner and Claudia Unger of the ÖVP, and René Apfelknab of the FPÖ.