Mayor Andreas Ramharter’s real estate company (List Zukunft Leobersdorf) sold the property for 15.25 million euros and received an extra 1.34 million through reallocation, reported “WZ”, “Falter” and ORF. When asked, Ramharter defended the deal and saw no bias. Criticism came from several quarters.
According to reports, Ramharter’s holding company acquired the land in 2021 and sold it to a building contractor in two tranches over the following two years. The contracts contained two so-called purchase price improvements in connection with reallocations until the end of 2024 on the meadow – which was largely already dedicated to building land. A strip along the federal highway dedicated to public traffic should become a building site for the operating area, and a second public traffic area should become a private road. Ramharter’s company committed to “actively pursue these rezonings in good faith and to support them in the best possible way,” as it was stated in both purchase agreements, according to the reports.
“Attempts to bring about dialogue failed”
The reallocations were carried out with local council resolutions in 2023 and this year in September, and the mayor himself also agreed. “As the market town of Leobersdorf, we have dealt with the issue of bias on several occasions and also pay very close attention to compliance with the relevant legal requirements,” said Ramharter, according to the reports. When asked on Wednesday, the mayor confirmed that there was no bias. He did not comment on purchase prices.
According to the media, the Mauthausen Memorial emphasized in a written statement: “Immediately after the planned use of the area for commercial purposes became known, the Mauthausen Memorial drew attention to the problem of commercial development.” But “repeated attempts to bring about a dialogue failed.”
“We handled it cleanly”
Ramharter, on the other hand, spoke of contact with the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office: “We worked through it properly and always sought cooperation.” For example, ground radar surveys and explorations were carried out in the area. It was agreed not to build basements in order to preserve the foundations, said Ramharter. The designation as an operating area has existed for a long time. He also noted that several areas that served as storage during wartime had already been repurposed.
According to the reports, the Federal Monuments Office confirmed that it had held “discussions with stakeholders”. We have no influence on zoning. The area is not under monument protection. There are, among other things, the foundations of barracks on the grounds in Leobersdorf where the Hirtenberg concentration camp subcamp stood. “From the current perspective, these remains – even in comparison with other former, archaeologically identifiable camps that are under monument protection – are not sufficient within the meaning of the Monument Protection Act to place them under monument protection,” said the Federal Monuments Office, according to reports.
“Unbearable oblivion of history”
The SPÖ spokeswoman for the culture of remembrance, Sabine Schatz, described the construction plans on Wednesday as an “unbearable forgetfulness of history” and called for the project to be stopped. “The historical responsibility towards the victims of the Nazi era requires that these places be treated with respect,” said the member of the National Council in a broadcast. “The fact that profits were made by repurposing these areas has a very pale aftertaste.” She called for federal intervention to secure the site as a memorial site in the long term. SPÖ federal women’s chairwoman Eva-Maria Holzleitner believes it is important to “carry on the memory of the fate of women under National Socialism.”
“What we are observing here is a frightening example of how historically sensitive land is dealt with when economic interests are in the foreground,” criticized Helga Krismer, club leader of the Lower Austria Green Party, in a press release. The planned construction project is “an example of the worrying development of spatial planning” in the state: “It is particularly worrying that there are always people profiting from this development in the mayor’s environment.” Krismer announced an application to amend the Lower Austrian Spatial Planning Act, which provides for a ban on development on historically contaminated properties.
“Need for action regarding control mechanisms”
NEOS state party leader Indra Collini saw “an enormous need for action in the control mechanisms within municipalities” as well as the need to think about a stricter values compass for mayors. “In the case of the Leobersdorf case, it will be necessary to examine exactly what the local council knew in this complex rezoning vote and what perhaps it did not,” she said in a broadcast.
“The questionable property deals show once again that there are massive structural problems in spatial planning,” WWF soil protection spokesman Simon Pories called for competence reforms as well as stricter laws and controls in a broadcast. In addition, it must be ruled out that mayors are allowed to work in the real estate or construction industry at the same time, because this opens the door to potential incompatibilities when rezoning.
The Future Leobersdorf list holds the absolute majority in the local council. In 2020, 53.30 percent was achieved. Local council elections will take place in Lower Austria in January 2025, and Ramharter will be the top candidate for the Future Leobersdorf list.
What specific measures is Mayor Ramharter implementing to ensure historical sensitivities are respected in the proposed development?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter Regarding Recent Real Estate Controversy**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mayor Ramharter. Recent news reports highlight criticisms surrounding the sale of a property by your company, List Zukunft Leobersdorf, particularly regarding potential conflicts of interest. How do you respond to these claims?
**Andreas Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. I want to assure everyone that we followed all relevant legal requirements and conducted the sale transparently. The accusations of bias are unfounded. We’ve dealt with these issues multiple times, ensuring proper protocol was observed.
**Interviewer:** Some critics, including the SPÖ spokeswoman for the culture of remembrance, have described the construction plans as an “unbearable forgetfulness of history.” What steps have you taken to address these historical sensitivities?
**Andreas Ramharter:** I’ve been in contact with the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office. We’ve undertaken ground radar surveys and agreed not to build basements to protect any foundations that should remain undisturbed. Our commitment to historical respect is paramount, and we’ve worked diligently with relevant organizations.
**Interviewer:** The Mauthausen Memorial indicated that attempts to dialogue regarding the development have repeatedly failed. Can you elaborate on what your communication looked like?
**Andreas Ramharter:** Communication has been ongoing. I believe there has been some misunderstanding. We have engaged with the Memorial and sought cooperation to ensure that the development is handled with care and respect. I remain hopeful that we can address concerns collaboratively.
**Interviewer:** There is a call for stronger control mechanisms for mayors and a reassessment of the laws related to such property deals. What are your thoughts on these proposals?
**Andreas Ramharter:** I believe in accountability and transparency in all governmental actions. If there are suggestions for improvement in regulation and oversight, I am open to discussions. However, I firmly believe the processes we followed were in compliance with existing laws.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead to the upcoming local council elections, how do you plan to address these controversies to maintain public trust?
**Andreas Ramharter:** My focus remains on serving the community. I plan to engage in direct dialogues with citizens to address their concerns and ensure they feel heard. Transparency will be key as we move forward, and I am committed to demonstrating our dedication to the community’s historical and cultural sensitivities.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for sharing your thoughts on this sensitive issue.
**Andreas Ramharter:** Thank you for the opportunity to clarify our position.
