Jaksch challenges Petschnig for Burgenland FPÖ leadership

Delegates at the Burgenland FPÖ’s party congress in Jennersdorf will choose a new leader on Sunday, with incumbent Alexander Petschnig facing a challenge from state parliament member Mario Jaksch, ORF reports.

Jaksch announced three weeks ago that he would stand, citing insufficient involvement of local groups and poor communication. He said the party’s internal atmosphere needed to improve. If elected, he said he would bring the leadership closer to its grassroots and be more present in Burgenland. “The state party leader must not treat the role as a side job,” he said, referring to Petschnig.

Petschnig, a member of Austria’s National Council, said Jaksch’s candidacy was “democracy”. The congress begins at 10.30 a.m., and the result is expected around midday. The FPÖ says 197 delegates are expected. Party secretary-general Michael Schnedlitz is due to attend.

A left-wing organisation has registered a demonstration in Jennersdorf, and protests and blockades are expected around the congress. Media reports have cited more than 100 police officers, but the figure has not been officially confirmed. The Burgenland State Police Directorate declined to disclose the planned deployment for operational reasons.

Petschnig has led the Burgenland FPÖ for six years. He won 52 per cent in a contested leadership vote against Geza Molnar in November 2020, then secured 91.4 per cent when re-elected in September 2023 in an uncontested vote.