Mourning among the Greens – former MP Haidlmayr passed away

Haidlmayr, who was confined to a wheelchair due to her brittle bone disease, was the face of the Greens for many years when it came to disability policy. She began her professional career in accounting and payroll before becoming a coordinator of integrative work for the disabled in her hometown of Steyr. In 1994, she was elected for the Greens to the National Council for the first time, where she was a member until 2008.

Keszler pays tribute to ‘incorruptible politician’
The parting was not without friction – she felt “forced” not to run in the upcoming elections, Haidlmayr said at the time. Due to the lack of prospects for an electable mandate, she no longer ran for Federal Congress.

Keszler threw roses at the engaged politicians on Facebook: Haidlmayr was not only an “incorruptible spokesperson for the disabled”, but also a “heart and soul consultant”, wrote the initiator of Life Ball.

Rauch: “Losing a sincere, dedicated champion”
“I am very saddened that Theresia Haidlmayr passed away last night. Despite her illness, she could not be beaten and was a combative, determined woman who moved and initiated a lot in this country,” said Sigi Maurer, chair of the Greens in parliament.

Concerns across party lines
“With Theresia Haidlmayr, we lose a sincere, committed champion of the rights of people with disabilities,” Green Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch added: “Her merits cannot be overstated.” Former Green companion Peter Pilz explained that she was “loud, and unwavering, with a clear sense of every evil.”

But people also worried across party lines. For example, former BZÖ chairman Gerald Grosz praised Heidlmayr as an “idealistic, courageous, strong, called woman”. Political adviser Heimo Lepuschitz explained that he “often argued” with her, but “always valued her very much” – she was a “fighter with no political reserves”.