The “right side of the Mur” is traditionally considered neglected in Graz, something that prominent entrepreneurs such as hotelier Florian Weitzer have recently complained about. The KPÖ-led Graz coalition now wants to focus on them – and invest, for example in the Gries district. At the mid-term review, she revealed what else she plans to do until the next election in 2026.
In September 2021, the Graz municipal council election caused an international stir: the KPÖ achieved a sensational election victory with 28.8 percent, while ÖVP Mayor Siegfried Nagl and his party fell by 11.9 percentage points. Since November 17, 2021, Graz has been governed by an extraordinary coalition of the KPÖ, Greens and SPÖ – with Mayor Elke Kahr (KPÖ) in particular continuing to score points in surveys. Against this background, the coalition took stock on Friday at the halfway point of the government term: “We have completed well over half of our ambitious program,” says Kahr. The goal declared in the inaugural speech was: “To make Graz more social, ecological and democratic.” This enabled 300 new community apartments and a low-threshold deposit fund to be built, and the services offered by the social welfare office and district centers to be expanded. Salary packages for nursing employees were also put together and the pioneering health hub project was launched. Green Vice Mayor Judith Schwentner is proud of over 1,500 new trees, the Neutorgasse project and 15 newly ordered trams. Children and young people as a topic for the future But what should happen next in the second half of the government’s term? “We want to increase the value of 8020,” says Schwentner. For example, it’s about the redesign of Griesplatz, the Rösselmühle area (the industrial monument burned down last year) and Josef-Huber-Gasse. In keeping with the traditionally socially weaker “right side of the Mur”, children and young people from such milieus should be stronger in the future be promoted. “Provisions are needed so that children, regardless of their origin, do not drift away,” emphasizes Kahr. “We have to give them support and perspective – we need support instead of boot camps.” Socially disadvantaged people should be helped with free lunches at the Graz Kitchen and the new train station mission. New investments will be decided in May. The children’s bike bonus is also about children is now being expanded to all third graders. 250 euros are spent per child. A focus on schools can be seen in the new investment plan: almost 24 million euros will be decided in May, with the largest sum of 8.3 million euros going to the expansion of compulsory schools. With the market hall on Hofbauerplatz in Eggenberg and the renovation of the Login youth center (Straßgang), millions more will be spent on projects on the right side of the Mur. The opposition still sees a need to catch up when it comes to education: “The city government must finally invest massively in education. “Especially on the right side of the Mur we now need an expansion boost for kindergartens and crèches,” says Neos parliamentary group leader Philipp Pointner. The coalition is pursuing “politics from below” instead of with an overview, criticizes the Graz ÖVP. “Construction site chaos, sleepy public transport expansion, saving on the future of our children in education and care and neglected investments in the infrastructure, not least in sport,” lists party chairman and city councilor Kurt Hohensinner. What was striking at the presentation on Friday was that the Coalition continues to rely on a policy of small steps. There are no big visions and flagship projects, and the stadium issue remains unresolved.
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