After “Winnetou” speech – 98 percent: Drexler is the new Styrian ÖVP boss

The party leadership of the People’s Party is working: on Friday everything was still dominated by the appreciation and farewell of former governor Hermann Schützenhöfer, on Saturday the stage was only for the new boss, Christopher Drexler. By the way, present on both days: Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

Strict stance on asylum
In his party speech, Drexler offered much that political observers of recent months are very familiar with: a strict stance on asylum (“One should not overload the solidarity of Styria”), the desire to end to the constant stringing of aid packages after the crisis, the demand for a new culture of political discussion in Vienna (with the example of Styria), a defense of the reputation of the ÖVP against the constant attacks of the opposition, which culminated in a commission of inquiry in parliament. To the delegates, Drexler scored by saying, “Every one of you is being attacked, insulted, hurt with these suspicions.”

Climate protection as the most important topic
Drexler called climate protection the most important topic. In his inaugural address as governor, he already gave the subject a lot of space. “Wind, sun, water and biomass” are the way to go – the fact that the EU parliament this week classified only wood heating systems as “conditionally sustainable”, but giving nuclear power a green blow is a “dumb joke”.

Lots of applause from Winnetou and Gendern
But the governor also laid new accents. He extensively criticized the debate over a possible ban on Karl May books (“I got and read all of my grandmother’s novels”), but he also mentioned canceled performances by white musicians with dreadlocks. And: “Monuments are being dismantled, although monument protection paralyzes us elsewhere.”

A central passage: “I find the rampant tendencies towards prohibitions and prohibitions unbearable. The majority of society should not let every shrill minority impose its opinion on it.” Drexler also received a lot of applause on the topic of gender (“I don’t need typographical distortions”).

Hand extended to the opposition
The new ÖVP boss made a remarkable promise to the opposition: if, for example, the PVV or the Greens bring a good idea to the debate, cooperation will be sought. So far, all opposition proposals have been consistently rejected by the ÖVP-SPÖ government.

And Drexler announced that he would open the party and invite anyone who wants to work on the future of Styria. The “Styria model” needs to be re-established as a kind of “think tank”. “We want to reach the top with content”, he feeds his cliché as an intellectual thinker with an affinity for the US.

Graz is governed “somewhat unconventionally”.
Drexler also briefly addressed the provincial capital of Graz: This is currently run “somewhat unconventionally” – Elke Kahr of the KPÖ has been mayor for almost a year. “So far it has not unnecessarily damaged the face of the city, let’s hope it stays that way.”

Drexler has verbally brought the municipalities, regions and mayors on board several times – after all, they form the backbone of the People’s Party. During his summer tour of the country, he heard “great uncertainty and anger”. The anger is directed at “those up there”. The Styrian People’s Party should never be like that. You have to be “by your side”.

98 percent agreement
In any case, the new boss enjoys the support of his party. The election results were announced shortly after noon. 98 percent of delegates voted for the long-standing state council. Karl Nehammer’s 100 percent at the federal party conference in Graz in May remained unmatched.