Selma Arapovic Elected as NEOS Club Leader in Vienna

In a significant organizational meeting, the NEOS party in Vienna has unanimously elected Selma Arapovic as the leader of its parliamentary club. This decision marks another step in the party's strategic positioning for the coming years.

Assisting her in this role are Markus Ornig and Stefan Gara, who have both been chosen as deputy leaders. Both Ornig and Gara bring a wealth of experience from their previous roles as municipal councilors and state parliament representatives, enhancing the club's overall political expertise.

Arapovic, an architect by profession, has been a member of the municipal council and the Vienna state parliament since 2020. Her portfolio includes responsibilities as spokesperson for housing, urban renewal, and city development, where her extensive technical knowledge and political experience have been invaluable. She is also a member of the NEOS Vienna state team and has served as the district spokesperson for NEOS in Brigittenau since 2023. Under her leadership, the party achieved a record electoral result of 10% in the recent Vienna election, securing a place in the city government.

Christoph Wiederkehr, the state leader of NEOS, remarked on the importance of having a well-prepared club, stating that this new leadership structure sets a strong foundation for the government term ahead. He expressed his congratulations to Arapovic on her appointment, acknowledging the critical role a solid team plays in governance.

In her acceptance, Arapovic emphasized the challenges facing Vienna and expressed confidence in the capabilities of her team and the ambitious government program they intend to pursue. She highlighted the necessity for a revitalization of the city, indicating that their united efforts would be directed toward achieving significant progress.

Philipp Blass has been reappointed as the club director, a position he has held since February 2025. Blass, who hails from Lower Austria, brings substantial experience in areas such as urban development, mobility, climate, and housing to the role.

Arapovic expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her by her colleagues and shared her enthusiasm for the responsibilities ahead. She congratulated her deputies, Ornig and Gara, as well as Blass, reinforcing the notion of a strong, expert-driven team committed to serving the interests of Vienna.