Politics
Norbert Hofer will be the FPÖ’s primary candidate in the state election in Burgenland in January 2025. This was acknowledged by the state party’s executive committee on Thursday evening in Pinkafeld (Oberwaard district), the home town of the third National Council chairman.
Hofer hasn’t officially spoken out for or against a potential front-runner in the January 2025 state election — and Hofer hasn’t ruled out that it’s a viable candidate. Thursday evening it was now certain: Hofer is running as primary candidate for the FPÖ in Burgenland. Hofer was already considered a possible candidate at the FPÖ federal party conference on Wednesday. According to state party leader Alexander Petshnik, they wanted to decide this “immediately”.
Hofer was the “opposite” of Toskosil
Hofer spoke in an interview with ORF Burgenland before the National Council elections, saying that “many people want a real political heavyweight alongside an all-powerful state governor” – Hofer further on this in Kick: “The same relationship as before”. That the Freedom Party will also achieve an “interesting result” in the state elections in January. Hofer was convinced Pinkefelter could also envision a run for the 2028 federal presidential election
A state party executive meeting also decided who would take over Petchnik’s mandate in the state parliament as he moves to the National Council. According to reports, Mikaela Brandlhofer will get a seat in the Rajya Sabha. Petschnig will continue as state party chairman for the time being, he explained recently. Michael Kmentl is now likely to move to the National Council to replace Hofer, APA found. Gmeindl was already at the top of the Burgenland Blues list in June’s EU elections.
A “Bang” at the FPÖ State Parliamentary Club
A press conference with Hofer and state party leader Petschnig is scheduled for Friday. The invitation went out at 8pm and was titled “Blow of a Drum”. After Sunday’s National Council elections, there was speculation that Hofer would take over as head of the National Council or perhaps be sent to contest as the primary candidate in Burgenland. In Sunday’s election, the Blues achieved 28.8 percent in their home state, putting them ahead of the ÖVP and SPÖ.
The press conference where Hofer will be officially introduced as primary candidate will take place at 10.30 am on Friday in the FPÖ state parliamentary club at the country house in Eisenstadt. A candidature for the post of President of the National Council is unlikely as he may move to his home state. The favorite for office is now Ombudsman Walter Rosenkranz. Member of Parliament Susanne Fürst is mentioned as an alternative.
