The NEOS party has signaled a strategic shift in its approach to the upcoming municipal elections in Graz, announcing that they have started their campaign with the addition of Pascuttini to their ranks. The move is designed to bolster the party’s image as a champion of transparency and fiscal discipline, leveraging Pascuttini’s profile as a former whistleblower within the city’s political establishment.
Pascuttini previously served with the Graz FPÖ and later became a prominent figure among the “Aufdecker” (uncoverers) within the Korruptionsfreien Gemeinderatsklub (KFG). The KFG emerged as a successor group after the FPÖ’s local structure fragmented following the 2021 elections and subsequent financial scandals. By recruiting Pascuttini, NEOS is positioning itself not merely as a political alternative, but as a dedicated watchdog for the city’s governance.
The party’s lead candidate, Pointner, has made it clear that the “Pinken” do not seek a role in the executive government. Instead, Pointner is positioning NEOS as the future control party, explicitly ruling out coalitions with the “left or right fringe.” Given the likelihood that Mayor Elke Kahr of the KPÖ will be confirmed in her position, Pointner believes the party’s influence will be most effective from the opposition benches, acting as a check on the city’s financial management.
A Fiscal Warning for the City of Graz
Central to the NEOS campaign is a stark warning regarding the city’s financial trajectory. Pointner has highlighted a debt load that has grown to nearly two billion euros, arguing that the fiscal balance of the city is dangerously skewed. He has been critical of the debt policies pursued by both the ÖVP and KPÖ over the last decade, asserting that a comprehensive consolidation plan is long overdue.
To address this, NEOS is proposing a series of immediate and systemic reforms. Pointner argues that without decisive action, the city risks facing a professional sanitizer. The party’s proposed immediate measures include:
- Immediate Funding Freeze: A stop to grants for voluntary services to curb spending.
- Politician Liability: The introduction of personal liability for politicians in cases of gross negligence regarding the use of public funds.
- Enhanced Transparency: A goal for Graz to become the most transparent city in Austria, including the mandatory disclosure of finances and expenditures for all council clubs.
- Whistleblower Protection: Strengthening legal and professional protections for those who report financial misconduct.
Pointner also pointed to historical waste, specifically citing funds spent under former ÖVP Mayor Siegfried Nagl on architects and projects that were never realized and remain unused. According to Pointner, these instances of “careless” spending with tax money are frequently uncovered during his operate in the control committee.
The Gösting Initiative and Local Priorities
Beyond city-wide fiscal policy, Pascuttini is focusing on specific regional developments within his district, Gösting. A primary objective for him is the future of the Burgruine Gösting. Pascuttini is currently spearheading a drive to collect signatures for a public referendum to determine whether the city of Graz should purchase the ruins.
The vision is to transform the ruins into a tourism jewel, integrating it into a wider development plan alongside the Thalersee and the Fürstenstand on the Plabutsch. While the current asking price of six million euros from the owners is viewed as too high, Pascuttini argues that a reasonable investment is justified, noting that the city manages to find funds for the Liebenau football stadium.
The campaign for the referendum is currently active, with over 800 signatures already collected. The target is to reach 1,000 signatures to comfortably clear the ten percent threshold required for the referendum to proceed.
Analyzing the Political Landscape
The current political climate in Graz is defined by the volatility following the 2021 elections. The KPÖ emerged as the dominant force, while the FPÖ suffered a significant collapse, leading to the creation of the KFG club. The current distribution of mandates reflects a fragmented council where NEOS, as the smallest faction, seeks to expand its footprint.
| Party | 2021 Vote % | Current Mandates |
|---|---|---|
| KPÖ | 28.8% | 15 |
| ÖVP | 25.9% | 13 |
| Greens | 17.3% | 9 |
| FPÖ | 10.6% | 5 |
| SPÖ | 9.5% | 4 |
| NEOS | 5.4% | 2 |
The internal dynamics of the FPÖ remain complex. Of the five FPÖ mandates, only one remains a “true” blue councilor, with three belonging to the KFG club. Former Vice Mayor Mario Eustacchio remains on the FPÖ ticket but without a club affiliation. Pascuttini’s transition to NEOS marks a definitive break from this environment; he has stated that his role as an “uncoverer” in the FPÖ financial cause will conclude with the election, after which the KFG club is expected to merge back into the FPÖ.
NEOS is aiming for growth in the upcoming election, specifically targeting a third mandate, which would be filled by Pascuttini. The party’s list is further strengthened by the addition of Verena Garber, a professional newcomer occupying the second spot on the list.
The next critical checkpoint for the party will be the verification of the signatures for the Gösting referendum and the formal launch of the broader campaign events as the election date approaches.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on the proposed politician liability laws and the future of the Gösting ruins in the comments below.
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