Klaus Luger has been mayor of Linz for eleven years – his farewell speech lasted only a few minutes: he announced his resignation on Friday during a press conference that had been arranged at short notice. The SPÖ politician, who came across a chat affair in the Brucknerhaus case, is leaving on September 2.
With a serious but controlled expression, Klaus Luger appeared before the microphones and cameras at 12:00. He repeated that he would “deeply regret” his mistake. As reported, he had sent the hearing documents before his appointment to Brucknerhaus director Dietmar Kerschbaum, who has since been dismissed, and told untruths about them.
Party support “began to crumble”
Luger said he regretted disappointing many people. He was initially grateful and impressed when the leaders of the Linz SPÖ unanimously expressed their confidence in him on Wednesday. “However, in the course of yesterday I felt that this support was also beginning to crumble in this circle,” Luger admitted on Friday. “That is why I have decided to resign as mayor of the city of Linz. This will take effect on September 2, 2024.”
21 years in city politics
After ten years as a municipal councillor and eleven years as mayor, the controversial social democrat is leaving the political scene. He also looked back on this time in his statement and emphasised in particular: “the solution to the exchange dilemma, the expansion of infrastructure and bridges, the transformation of the industrial site, the establishment of educationally excellent children’s education, the construction of two modern stadiums and “mapping out the course for the expansion of public transport that has been postponed for decades”.
Not a ‘model husband’
Luger then thanked his staff and family. He “was not always the model father and husband” to his three children and his wife and “showed no special dedication to running a home.” Even in the emotional days that followed, his family was always a great support to him.
“I really leave without any grudge,” Luger said at the end – this should have been directed at himself, given the lying affair in the Brucknerhaus case. Because: “I have not lived up to my own standards.”
Recognition of Stelzer
Governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP) later paid respect to Luger: the cooperation with him was “not always without problems”. “But over the years we have laid a good foundation for cooperation and achieved a lot for people, and I would like to thank you for that.”
Designated successor speaks of ‘fresh start’
Alderman Dieter Prammer, who was unanimously nominated by the Linz SPÖ as Lugner’s successor, also paid tribute to the outgoing city boss: with his resignation “he clearly shows that the well-being of the city of Linz and social democracy is more important to him than his own person. Thanks to Klaus Luger’s great and far-sighted commitment to the city of Linz, we stand on broad shoulders.”
Now a “new start” is possible – with the aim of “continuing the successful path that made the city of Linz a role model in economic, social and, above all, future-oriented areas for many other cities.”
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.
