Tiroler ÖVP members express dissent over proposed regional membership

Internal friction has emerged within the Tyrolean People's Party (ÖVP) following a proposal by Governor Anton Mattle to introduce an exclusive ‘Tyrol membership’ at the party congress on November 7.

National Council MP Franz Hörl has publicly distanced himself from the initiative, stating, “I am staying with the Federal VP.” Hörl, who previously criticized Mattle regarding candidate list placements during the 2024 National Council election, emphasized that a stronger European orientation is more critical to the party than regional membership models.

Josef Hechenberger, President of the Tyrolean Chamber of Agriculture, also expressed reservations, noting that the plans are being “critically eyed” in Vienna and present argumentative challenges, even though he supports the creation of a separate Tyrolean policy program.

The Federal ÖVP has maintained a reserved stance, describing the direct membership proposal as an “independent initiative” that holds no organizational connection to the federal party and asserting that existing cooperation will remain unchanged.