Norbert Hofer to Retain Burgenland State Parliament Seat Following Move to Private Sector

Norbert Hofer, a prominent member of the Freedom Party (FPÖ), has announced that he will continue to serve as a member of the Burgenland state parliament even after transitioning to positions in the private sector. This decision follows his recent announcement to step down from his current leadership roles within the party.

Hofer explained that his choice to remain a state parliamentarian is driven by his responsibility towards the electorate, as he received over 34,000 preferential votes during the most recent state elections. He held leading positions both on the state list and the district list for Oberwart in the January elections. Despite moving away from full-time politics, he intends to fulfill his parliamentary duties alongside his upcoming professional commitments.

As part of his career change, Hofer will relinquish his position as the FPÖ parliamentary group leader in Burgenland. The party is set to elect a new group leader in mid-January, with the successor yet to be determined. Hofer has coordinated his decision to remain in parliament with FPÖ's Secretary General, ensuring alignment with party leadership.

Throughout his political career, Hofer has held various significant positions. He previously served as Austria's Minister for Transport, Innovation, and Technology, and was a candidate in the country's presidential elections. He also took on the role of crisis manager for the FPÖ following the Ibiza scandal, assuming leadership responsibilities during a tumultuous period for the party. Under his leadership, the FPÖ achieved a record result of 23.1% in the last Burgenland state election, marking a significant increase from the party's previous high of 15% in 2015.

In parallel with his continued parliamentary duties, Hofer will begin new roles in the private sector. He is set to become the second managing director at Binder Leitl Investment GmbH and will also serve as Vice President for Strategic Communications at Emerald Horizon AG in Graz starting February 2026. These new responsibilities are not compatible with his role as parliamentary group leader, prompting his earlier resignation from that post.

Hofer also serves as a municipal councilor in Pinkafeld, located in the Oberwart district, and has stated that his full-time political career will conclude in mid-January. The FPÖ has scheduled a party board meeting and a subsequent parliamentary group session to elect a new group leader, ensuring continuity in party leadership as Hofer transitions to his new professional endeavors.

The party has not yet named Hofer's successor, but the transition process is expected to proceed smoothly. Hofer's ongoing commitment to public service, even after moving to the private sector, underscores his ongoing involvement in regional politics while pursuing new career opportunities.