The selection of Leonor Giussler as the new leader of the Green Party
Leonore Gewessler was elected as the new leader of the "Die Grünen" party in Austria on Sunday afternoon, succeeding Werner Kogler. Gewessler, 47 years old and hailing from Styria, received 96.76% support from the delegates, thus beginning a challenging task to restore the party's influence and popularity, moving away from the image of a "forbidden party."
Her presidency lasts for three years, with no competitors. She announced her acceptance of the position "with great joy and respect," amid applause from more than 250 party members. In her speech before the vote, Gevisler thanked her predecessor Kogler, describing him as the "green giant" who supported her greatly. Kogler expressed his confidence in her success, saying: "With you in leadership, it will be very good."
Geifisler previously held the position of Deputy Kogler and was the Minister of the Environment in the previous coalition government with the ÖVP party. She is considered one of the prominent figures in environmental politics and is associated with several major initiatives such as the free climate ticket for youth, which was recently canceled, carbon pricing, climate bonuses, European nature rehabilitation projects, and the rejection of highway projects.
Geifisler confirmed that she wants to turn "people's worries, hopes, and dreams into practical policy." She pointed to the significant challenges the party faced during its alliance with the ÖVP, mentioning three crises: "Corona, war, and Kurz." She added that communication with people decreased during this period, creating a trust gap. Geifisler explained that she owns a car and met her husband in "the most distant place from the environment," which is an airplane, reflecting – as she said – the contradictions people live. She added: "We want to improve the world, but we live in a contradictory world. I want people to come to us with hope, not fear."
Giefisler launched a direct attack on her political opponents: she described Andreas Babler, the leader of SPÖ, as a "phantom giant" in environmental and social politics, criticized the ÖVP party for its desire to import Russian gas and its interference in human rights issues, while accusing the FPÖ of only seeking to amplify problems, influenced by Russian propaganda, and wanting a world "where we don't even decide whom we love". The FPÖ party's response was swift, with Secretary General Michael Schneideritz describing her as a "radical environmentalist detached from reality," adding that her praise for the achievements of the previous coalition government was a "slap in the face of the Austrian people."