Markus Gstöttner appointed new ÖVP general secretary as Nico Marchetti steps down

Nico Marchetti announced he will leave the post of general secretary of Austria’s ruling ÖVP at the end of July 2026, after serving roughly one and a half years. He said he wants to build a second professional career outside politics while remaining a National Council member, education spokesman and district party chairman. Party chairman and Chancellor Christian Stocker thanked Marchetti for his “careful work, commitment and loyalty” during a turbulent period and said a successor would be named “soon”.

Markus Gstöttner, a 39‑year‑old former cabinet chief for ex‑Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and later for Karl Nehammer, was identified as the likely successor. He has been serving as a special envoy for the reform partnership in the chancellor’s office since January 2026. Stocker confirmed that Gstöttner will assume the general‑secretary role on 1 August 2026.

The Wirtschaftsbund also welcomed Gstöttner, praising his experience in business and his commitment to a competitive economic policy for Austria.