Mayer faces hearing before Salzburg deputy governor vote

Wolfgang Mayer, the designated deputy governor of Salzburg, will face questioning on Monday before the state parliament votes on his appointment on Wednesday, ORF reported.

The ÖVP politician should expect critical questions from opposition parties SPÖ, KPÖ and the Greens, which have said they will not vote for him. As ÖVP parliamentary group leader, Mayer has had several tough exchanges with opposition lawmakers.

Each parliamentary group may ask two questions, on the portfolios Mayer is set to oversee: finance, health and transport.

The hearing is unlikely to change the outcome. The ÖVP and FPÖ hold 22 seats between them, compared with 14 for the opposition. The Greens have called for a secret ballot, but four members of the governing coalition would need to break ranks to block Mayer’s appointment. The FPÖ has said it will honour the coalition agreement.