# Austrian People's Party leadership change

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/austrian-peoples-party-leadership-change
> Updated: 2026-08-05T03:00:00.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

On 1 August 2026 Markus Gstöttner assumed the role of General Secretary of Austria’s centre‑right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) after Nico Marchetti stepped down. In a televised interview he outlined the party’s economic agenda, admitted that poll numbers were low, and referenced recent disciplinary measures, notably the exclusion of Walter Ruck and the party’s relationship with Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl.

Gstöttner, a Vienna native, studied and worked in England, spent time on a development project in India, completed basic military service, and entered politics as a city councilor and cabinet member. He described himself as a “Christian‑social” Austrian and reiterated the ÖVP’s core values: individual freedom, a regulated market economy, security, a firm stance on illegal migration, and continued support for Austria’s EU membership.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-05: Markus Gstöttner appointed ÖVP General Secretary

Markus Gstöttner became ÖVP General Secretary, outlining the party’s economic direction, recent disciplinary actions and his Christian‑social background.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/markus-gstttner-appointed-vp-general-secretary

### 2026-07-07: Markus Gstöttner appointed new ÖVP general secretary as Nico Marchetti steps down

Nico Marchetti will quit as ÖVP general secretary end‑July 2026; Markus Gstöttner, close to ex‑Chancellor Kurz, will take over on 1 August 2026.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/austrian-peoples-party-chief-nico-marchetti-resigns-as-general-secretary

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Cite as: Austrian People's Party leadership change. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/austrian-peoples-party-leadership-change