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. 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 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 measures are being taken to address public concerns about potential conflicts of interest in property transactions involving the mayor’s office?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on Recent Controversies Around Property Transactions**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Mayor Ramharter. Recent reports have raised concerns regarding your real estate company’s dealings, specifically the sale of a property for 15.25 million euros and additional reallocations totaling 1.34 million euros. Can you clarify your involvement and address the accusations of bias?
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me. I want to assure everyone that there is no bias in this transaction. We followed all legal requirements and protocols. The holding company acquired the land in 2021, and it was sold to a building contractor in two separate tranches, which is a common practice in real estate.
**Interviewer:** Critics, including the Mauthausen Memorial, have voiced concerns about the commercial development planned for this historically significant land. They claim attempts for dialogue with you have failed. How do you respond to those concerns?
**Mayor Ramharter:** We have sought cooperation with the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office. We conducted ground radar surveys and agreed not to build basements to preserve existing foundations. It’s essential to note that the area is not under monument protection, and we have handled the situation with transparency.
**Interviewer:** Some representatives from the SPÖ and the Green Party have described the ongoing construction plans as “an unbearable forgetfulness of history.” What measures are you willing to take to address the concern that history is being overlooked in favor of profit?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I understand the sensitivity surrounding this issue, and I respect all opinions. However, we are committed to ensuring that this land is treated with the respect it deserves. Several areas tied to historical events have been repurposed in the past, and we’re looking to maintain sensitivity to those memories while also considering the needs of our community.
**Interviewer:** There are calls for stricter regulations to prevent potential conflicts of interest involving mayors dealing in real estate. Do you think there should be reforms in local governance?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I believe in the importance of maintaining trust in our local governance. If there’s a consensus that current mechanisms aren’t adequate, I am open to discussing reforms for the greater good. Our priority should always be the welfare of the community and adherence to our legal frameworks.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for answering these pressing questions. As the local elections approach in 2025, how do you plan to address these controversies to regain public confidence?
**Mayor Ramharter:** I appreciate the opportunity to clarify our actions. Moving forward, we will continue to prioritize transparency and community engagement. The local council’s decisions should reflect the community’s values, and I am committed to ensuring that we listen to our constituents as we navigate this situation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time, Mayor.
**Mayor Ramharter:** Thank you for having me.