Klagenfurt Mayor: 'I don't actually need a party'

Klagenfurt Mayor Christian Scheider, a political figure since 2009, is contemplating a re-election bid in 2027. Currently in an "evaluation phase," the 62-year-old has navigated various political affiliations, including the FPÖ, BZÖ, and Team Kärnten, before establishing his own list, the "Freie soziale Bürgerpartei" (FSP).

“

I don't actually need a party.

Despite founding his own party, Scheider expressed a sentiment of independence, stating, "I don't actually need a party." He attributes his political journey, which began with encouragement from his acquaintance Jörg Haider, to Haider's profound dedication. Scheider recalled Haider's intense work ethic, often involving late nights and extensive weekend work to address citizen interventions.

“

So he really gave 180 percent.

Scheider sees parallels between his current approach and Haider's, emphasizing the importance of engaging with citizens' concerns, whether they involve minor issues like a misaligned clock or noise complaints. He believes in taking every citizen's issue seriously, stating, "You can't do everything, but you have to check it." This focus on citizen welfare also draws a comparison to Graz's mayor, Elke Kahr, with Scheider noting a shared "social focus."

“

The social focus, that's something you either have or you don't. That certainly unites us.

Having previously run for Team Kärnten in 2021 after a political dispute, Scheider's independent "Liste Christian Scheider - TK" garnered 23 percent of the vote, largely due to his name recognition. He now leads the FSP, acknowledging the necessity of a team for electoral success, but maintains his detachment from traditional party politics, asserting, "I am no longer a party politician."

“

The name has to be everywhere, of course, if I run for election somewhere.