Shock in the Carinthian district town of Wolfsberg! The incumbent mayor Hannes Primus (SPÖ) made his diagnosis public on an emotional Facebook. “I suffer from a rare disease and need a bone marrow transplant!” He announced that he would be out for months as a result.
If everything goes according to plan, the treatment will start in Graz at the end of May/beginning of June. He receives chemotherapy and his sister acts as a stem cell donor. During this time he will be completely isolated and only allowed to see family members.
Message: The mayor of Carinthia has made his illness public
The 47-year-old, who has been mayor of Wolfsberg since 2020, asked for your understanding that he would not be able to participate in large events or gatherings of people until treatment began.
A rare blood disorder was diagnosed
But he sees it as his duty as mayor to make his illness public. “After recently spending almost two weeks in hospital with severe pneumonia – partly due to a weakened immune system – a number of voices have been raised as to why I am discussing this publicly, as others also have pneumonia. I see it as my duty to be honest and provide information that is of public interest.” The reason for the pneumonia was a blood disorder diagnosed in March. “At the time, he was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood disorder that only affects four in 100,000 people,” Primus said. His blood values were still wrong and therefore therapy was necessary.
Appealing to political opponents
He knows it won’t be an easy time for him, but he will get through this. “I have a strong family and friends who stand behind me and support me in all situations. Even though my position puts me in the public eye, I ask that you treat my family with respect and at the same time thank you for that.”
Hope for a quick comeback
It will take several months before it is fully operational again. “But the work for the good of the city continues and I also speak on behalf of all groups in the city council. As they say in football: ‘separated in colors, united in cause’.”
Primus has now received numerous well wishes on his Facebook account. SPÖ Vice Mayor Alexander Radl will take over his duties until he fully recovers.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
