Following the October death of longtime Salzburg state government member Josef schwaiger, the province’s ruling People’s Party has announced a significant leadership shift. At 24 years old, maximilian Aigner has been chosen to succeed Schwaiger, taking on responsibilities encompassing agriculture, forestry, and cultural affairs.The move, while signaling a commitment to younger voices within the ÖVP, has already drawn scrutiny from opposition parties questioning the newly-appointed landesrat’s administrative experience as he prepares for his confirmation hearing next month.
Der 24-jährige Maximilian Aigner übernimmt die Landwirtschaftsagenden seines im Oktober verstorbenen Vorgängers Josef Schwaiger. Die Finanzen wandern zu Landeshauptfrau Edtstadler.
Salzburg’s ruling People’s Party has chosen Maximilian Aigner, 24, to succeed Josef Schwaiger as a member of the state government, following Schwaiger’s death in October. The appointment signals a move toward younger leadership within the Austrian state, but has drawn criticism from opposition parties who question Aigner’s experience.
Aigner, who served as the state leader of the Young Farmers organization until September, will assume responsibility for agriculture, forestry, water management, energy, and cultural traditions. He is slated to be officially appointed to the Landesrat – the state government – on December 17, following a mandatory hearing before the state parliament two days prior.
The financial portfolio previously held by Schwaiger will now be managed by Governor Karoline Edtstadler, the party leader. Aigner, a native of Unternberg in the Lungau region, previously worked as a middle school teacher in Lamprechtshausen, a position he will relinquish due to restrictions on employment for members of the state government.
“I announced at the state congress that I would rejuvenate the Salzburg ÖVP,” Edtstadler said in a statement following the party’s decision. “With Maximilian Aigner, we are taking the next step and sending a clear signal. He is a candidate who cares about agriculture, understands the challenges and opportunities for rural areas, and speaks the language of young people.”
From 2019 to 2023, Aigner served as district leader of the Young Farmers in the Lungau, and from 2023 to 2025, he led the Salzburg branch of the organization. He holds a teaching degree in history and religion from the University of Salzburg. Aigner is also actively involved in local cultural organizations, serving on the boards of the Hochofenmuseum in Bundschuh and the Valentinum in Thomatal, a memorial dedicated to the unconventional priest Valentin Pfeifenberger.
The appointment has prompted a swift response from Peter Eder, head of the Salzburg Chamber of Labor and soon-to-be leader of the state’s Social Democratic Party. Eder expressed surprise at the choice, stating, “Especially in these challenging times, we would have expected the ÖVP to appoint someone with extensive experience in administration and politics.” He argued that Aigner lacks the qualifications to meet the high expectations set by his predecessor, Josef Schwaiger. “The current problems in the state require leadership, expertise, and crisis management skills,” Eder emphasized. (APA)
