Mayors demand: – “Government negotiators must involve us”

The Austrian mayors are even speaking out in favor of the federal coalition talks. “We now call on future government negotiators to involve communities at an early stage in program discussions. Because the local level needs the solution to many major problems more than ever. A ‘coalition’ with the communities is therefore also a design partnership with the people,” says chairman Johannes Pressl (ÖVP) of the community association to the “Krone”.

“Financial resources needed”
And he immediately follows up with demands. “Because we also need the necessary financial resources to realize this creative force. We have therefore prepared a comprehensive demand document for a new federal government.” A clear message to a future government that will already be struggling with budget problems.

Research shows that there is confidence in regional politicians
Pressl provides arguments. The mayors and municipalities are much more popular than the federal politicians. Current research by Demox shows that trust in mayors is increasing significantly. While this was still 43 percent in May, in October it was already 57 percent.

Overall, the research shows a regional divide. Confidence in local politics stands at 36 percent, followed by state politics (21) and federal politics with only 11. Pressl: “The increasing trust values ​​are a confirmation of the work of the mayors and municipal councils. You are directly confronted with people’s concerns and problems, but you are always solution-oriented. This vote of confidence means a lot to us, because politics in general is currently not so well received at all levels.”