Philipp Pointner quits NEOS after Graz municipal election loss

Philipp Pointner, the NEOS city leader in Graz, announced his departure from the party in early July, a month after the June 28 municipal election in which NEOS secured only 4.9% of the vote, falling short of its targets. Party officials, including state manager Lena Berner, confirmed that Pointner had returned his party membership card, deleted his Instagram account and left all related communication groups, and has been unreachable since early July.

The resignation raises uncertainty over whether Pointner will take up his council mandate. If he declines, the second‑placed NEOS candidate Alexis Pascuttini would assume the seat. Berner expects clarification before the council’s constituting session on August 27, while NEOS reflects on the disappointing result and internal criticism that preceded Pointner’s exit.