Neos Graz leader resigns, becomes unreachable

Philipp Pointner, the city party leader for the Neos in Graz, has resigned from the party and has been out of contact for three weeks, according to Lena Berner, the state managing director. The situation leaves the party in "a vacuum," Berner stated, with uncertainty surrounding whether Pointner will accept his council seat following the recent Graz election.

Pointner reportedly applied to leave the federal party in early July and has since gradually withdrawn from all party groups across various communication channels. His unreachability has caused concern among colleagues in Graz and Styria. While his lack of participation was hinted at when he missed post-election feedback sessions, his complete disappearance has left the party in limbo.

Should Pointner decline his mandate, the second seat for Neos would go to Alexis Pascuttini, a former member of the FPÖ and KFG. The final decision on the mandate will be known by August 27, when the new city council convenes. However, Berner expressed hope for contact before then.

Neos secured only 4.9% of the vote in the June 28th election, a slight decrease from 2021, despite polls suggesting an increase. Pointner had previously expressed ambitions for coalition negotiations and securing a third seat and party status, but these hopes were not realized, with the party retaining its two seats.