Change of power in Hietzing: Johanna Sperker as the new district leader!

Change of power in Hietzing: Johanna Sperker as the new district leader!

In Hietzing there is a breath of fresh air in the political landscape. On June 4, 2025, Johanna Sperker was sworn in by the ÖVP as the new district leader, succeeding Silke Kobald. This decision marks a key shift in power, following a noticeable decline in ÖVP votes in the last elections, as Krone reports. Kobald, who has been active in Hietzinger district politics since 2004, has decided to make room for her successor after many years at the head of the district council.

The choice of Sperker was no coincidence. In a meeting that took place on the night of Thursday to Friday, the district council voted 17 to 13 in favor of it. Sperker, who has been a district councilor since 2010 and made an attempt to replace Kobald in 2023, is full of enthusiasm. Their goal is to regain the trust of the people of Hietzing and to further promote the quality of life in the district. This also includes improving infrastructure and strengthening families and generations.

Change in mandates

The new election not only brings with it a new district leader, but also some personnel changes among the elected officials. The new deputy district head, Thomas Gerstbach, will manage the district's fortunes together with Marcel Höckner, who will retain his position as second deputy. However, the ÖVP Hietzing has lost some seats, which means, among other things, that Nikolaus Ebert, who is stepping down, will remain as district councilor.

• Neu in der Bezirksvertretung sind die FPÖ mit insgesamt fünf Sitzen, nun vertreten durch Marianne Gärtner, Tanja Schnedlitz, Dietmar Rausch, Peter Herbst und Georg Heinreichsberger.
• Die Neos haben Karin Pfeifenberger in ihre Reihen aufgenommen.
• Auf Seiten der Grünen verstärken Viktor Rösner und Luisa Bracher die Bezirksvertretung.
• Antonia Bleier vertritt jetzt die KPÖ/Links.

Johanna Sperker, who emphasized in her inaugural speech that intergenerational cooperation is very important, is faced with major tasks. “We will prepare a participation program for our citizens,” she promised. Their focus is on preserving green oases, improving mobility and promoting close cooperation with all political groups.

Political reactions to the change are mixed. While Kobald, who found positive words for her successor, emphasized how important it is that Sperker is given time to familiarize herself with her new position, the opposition criticized the ÖVP's internal cohesion after the election debacle. The upcoming district council meetings will show how the new team under Johanna Sperker performs.

Overall, it is clear that Hietzing is facing exciting years ahead, with exciting developments ahead. The district council will be required to tackle the challenges together in the coming period. Let's get ready for a new chapter in Hietzinger politics, is the conclusion of the reporting by MeinBezirk and Wiener District newspaper.