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 – most of which was 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. The mayor confirmed on Wednesday when asked 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 camps 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 National Council member 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 are in place to prevent conflicts of interest in real estate transactions involving public officials like Mayor Ramharter?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on Recent Real Estate Deal Controversy**
**Editor:** Good morning, Mayor Ramharter. Thank you for joining us to discuss the recent controversy surrounding your company’s sale of property for 15.25 million euros. Can you please clarify the nature of this transaction and the criticisms that have been directed at you?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Good morning. Thank you for having me. The transaction involved the sale of land that my holding company acquired in 2021. It was sold in two tranches over the subsequent two years to a building contractor. It’s important to note that the land has long been slated for development, and we followed all legal procedures throughout the process. I stand by the transaction and firmly believe there was no bias involved.
**Editor:** Critics have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially given your dual role as both mayor and a real estate operator. How do you respond to those allegations?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I understand the concerns raised by some community members and organizations. However, I assure you that we have addressed the matter of potential bias multiple times and maintain strict compliance with all legal requirements. The local council has been thorough in overseeing these developments.
**Editor:** The Mauthausen Memorial has expressed concerns over the site’s historical significance and the decision to develop it commercially. Can you elaborate on the discussions you’ve had with them and the outcome?
**Mayor Ramharter:** We have indeed reached out to the Mauthausen Memorial and other relevant bodies. Our collaboration included ground radar surveys and a commitment to avoid building basements to protect historical foundations. We have sought to handle this matter with utmost care and respect for history.
**Editor:** Some political figures and organizations are calling for federal intervention to designate the area as a memorial site. What stance do you take on this proposal?
**Mayor Ramharter:** While I appreciate the historical sensitivity of the site, the Federal Monuments Office has indicated that the area does not currently meet the criteria for monument protection. We’ve been clear that we have always acted in good faith and engaged with stakeholders to ensure the area’s history is preserved.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, with local council elections approaching in January 2025, how do you plan to address community concerns and ensure transparency moving forward?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Transparency is key, and I will continue to engage with our community on these important topics. I welcome constructive dialogue and will ensure that everyone’s voices are heard. It’s crucial that we balance development with historical preservation and community values.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Mayor Ramharter. We appreciate your time and perspective on this pressing issue.
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential to discuss these matters openly, and I look forward to continuing this conversation with the community.
