Following the election of Arno Kompatscher (SVP) as governor of South Tyrol and the conclusion of coalition negotiations of the now center-right five-party coalition consisting of the South Tyrol People's Party (SVP), Tyrolean Freedom Party of South, Fratelli d'Italia, Lega and La Civica, the SVP fixed its heads for the state government within its own ranks. In total, the SVP can assign eight positions in the state government after the coalition agreed on an eleven-person government.
The party committee accepted Kompatscher and SVP party chairman Philipp Achammer's proposal on Monday night with 73 of 76 votes. Furthermore, according to an SVP broadcast, “the distribution of responsibilities” was also discussed in detail.
Reinhold Messner's brother on board
For the first time, Peter Brunner (energy, spatial planning, environment, sport), Rosmarie Pamer (social affairs and family), Luis Walcher (agriculture and tourism) and Hubert Messner will occupy the government bench in the South Tyrol state parliament. The brother of mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner will take over the autonomous province's healthcare system. After Kompatscher, the 70-year-old doctor and writer Hubert Messner received the preferential votes.
Among the “veterans” are Kompatscher, Achammer, Daniel Alfreider and the previous vice-governor Waltraud Deeg. Kompatscher will be responsible for autonomy, external affairs and finance, among other things. Achammer will be responsible for the educational and cultural agendas, while Alfredider will be responsible for mobility and infrastructure. Deeg will be responsible for Europe, labor and human resources.
The remainder of the state government is held by the coalition partners. The Freedom Party sends experienced state parliament member Ulli Mair to the government. He must take on the housing, security and integration agendas.
Two members of the Italian government
On the Italian side, Marco Galateo from Fratelli d'Italia (Italian economy and culture and education) and Christian Bianchi from Lega (civil construction, property and registration) will be represented in the government. The state deputy of La Civica, Angelo Gennacaro, will receive, among other things, the position of president of the state parliament and will be responsible as a regional advisor for the cities of Meran and Bolzano.
There was a tug of war between the Italian parties until the end over which party could accommodate representatives in the government. After the coalition finally agreed on a “government of 11” – instead of eight members – there was room for two Italian regional councilors. The election of the state government should then take place in the state parliament on January 31st.