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World Mayor
commendations
Elke Kahr, Mayor of
Graz, Austria

The 2023 World Mayor Prize and Awards will be conferred on mayors who have demonstrated that by listening to and working closely with the citizens of their own communities as well as by forming partnerships and friendships with towns and cities at home and across borders, cities can succeed where nations struggle. Mayors shortlisted for the World Mayor Prize have been commended for their humanity, local leadership and their ability to bring people together.

Elke Kahr, Mayor of Graz, Austria, has been awarded the 2023 World Mayor Prize


Commendations for
Elke Kahr
Mayor of Graz, Austria

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Commended by Gabriele R., Graz
Yes! That would be great. She is a politician that stands up for people like me. For People, who have been working hard/are working hard. In this really wonderful city, which she wants to preserve as a place for all people to live - not only the rich! She is the politician I have always been looking for. Yes! Elke Kahr for World Mayor!


Commended by Lukas K. Graz
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the City Mayors Foundation,
I would like to express my strong support for Mayor Elke Kahr of Graz as a candidate for World Mayor of 2023. Ms Kahr has established herself as one of the most outstanding mayors in the world through her remarkable leadership and commitment to the community of Graz.

Her "Robin Hood policies" are not only a sign of her deep commitment to the citizens of Graz, but also an example to other cities around the world of how to put social justice and the common good at the heart of city politics. Her policy priorities, such as building new public housing, increasing the city's rent deposit fund and expanding social services, show her vision for an inclusive and just city.

I am particularly impressed by her personal generosity and her decision to give much of her salary to people in need. This is a rare example of selflessness and integrity in today's political landscape. Her response to criticism of this generosity - that she would quit her job if she was legally prevented from giving - shows her unwavering character and deep commitment to the citizens of Graz.

I am convinced that Mayor Elke Kahr should be recognised not only for her outstanding achievements in Graz, but also for her vision of a more just and inclusive world. 

I hope that you will seriously consider her candidature for the World Mayor of 2023.


Commended by Kerstin L., Graz
Since Elke Kahr is mayor a lot of things in Graz have changed for the better. She donates a big part of her salary for people in need in Graz and always takes time for them. The quality of life since she is mayor took a big leap to the positive side.


Commended by Annika P., Graz
Sie hat immer ein offenes Ohr für die Anliegen der Leute. Sie hilft allen, wenn nötig auch mit ihrem eigenen Geld. 


Commended by Gernot A., Austria
Hiermit möchte ich Fr. Bürgermeisterin Elke Kahr zur Nominierung als „Bürgermeisterin des Jahres“ herzlich gratulieren und somit unterstützen. Sie ist eine der wenigen Politiker:innen, die sich um die auch „einfachen“ Menschen annimmt und kümmert!


Commended by Friedrich S. K., Graz
Elke Kahr hat klare Überzeugungen hinter denen sie steht und auch innerhalb ihrer Partei, der ja eine Zeit lang auch Nähe zum Kreml vorgeworfen wurde (historisch bedingt), hat sie in starker humanistischer Manier bewiesen, was es heißt hinter Idealen der Menschlichkeit zu stehen.

Dasselbe Prinzip verfolgt sie in der Stadtregierung, wo sie alle Parteien nach ihrem Stimmenverhältnis mitreden lässt, was ja durchaus unüblich ist in der österreichischen Politik, die von geheimen Abmachungen und integrantem Verhalten geprägt ist. Bürgermeisterin Elke Kahr ist eines der wenigen Lichter der österreichischen Politik.

Elke Kahr has clear convictions behind which she stands. Within her party, which for a time was also accused of closeness to the Kremlin (for historical reasons and actions of some members), she has demonstrated in a strong humanist manner what it means to stand behind ideals of humanity and shows clear opposition to Stalinism.

She follows the same principle in the city government, where she allows all parties to have a say according to their proportion of votes, which is quite unusual in Austrian politics, which is characterized by secret agreements and intrigues. Mayor Elke Kahr is one of the few lights of Austrian politics.


Commended by David Z., Graz
I want to vote for Elke Kahr major of Graz. She is a wonderful person and does a lot for the people here.


Commended by Christian H., Graz
Fr. Kahr macht Politik FÜR die Menschen und nicht für die Partei oder gar für sich selbst.
 
Etwas, das in der heutigen Politik ganz selten geworden ist – die meisten Politiker lassen sich von der Industrie- und Wirtschaftslobby einlullen und machen Politik für die eigene Partei und für sich selbst – der Mensch und die Umwelt bleiben dabei auf der Strecke.

Fr. Kahr muss gegen die Windmühlenräder eben dieser Lobbys kämpfen und sich als Bürgermeisterin und als Frau beweisen – und das macht sie sehr gut.


Commended by Peter P., Graz
I highly recommend Mrs. Kahr, mayor of the city of Graz, to be elected as 'Mayor of the Year'


Commended by Maria M., Graz
Elke Kahr is my favourite, she is there for all people of Graz and I chose her as a personality!


Commended by Daniel G., Graz
als Einwohner der Stadt Graz und politisch Interessierte Person kann ich die Wahl von Elke Kahr zur Bürgermeisterin des Jahres nur unterstützen.  Ihre zuverlässige und Hilfsbereite Art ist über die Grenzen der Stadt bekannt. Sie handelt dabei stets proaktiv und bringt immer wieder neue Ideen und Ansätze ein wie man etwas zum Guten entwickeln kann.

Seit Sie als Bürgermeisterin tätig ist fühle ich jeden Tag aufs Neue wie sich unsere Stadt schöner wird und auch alle, auch die Ärmsten, auf Augenhöhe eingebunden werden.

Ich würde mir wünschen das Sie dafür auch von außerhalb Wertschätzung erfährt und mit ihrer Nominierung andere dazu motivieren kann es Ihr gleich zu tun. 


Commended by Walter R., Graz
Frau Kahr unterstützt Bedürftige und arbeitet selbstlos für die Gemeinschaft. Als Sozialarbeiterin kennt sie die „einfachen“ Leute, ihre Probleme und Bedürfnisse.

Als Bürgermeisterin bleibt sie integer, bodenständig, integrativ und lösungsorientiert.
 
Meine Bewunderung und Hochachtung für diese Frau


Commended by Marcus W., Graz
Dear all, As a citizen of Graz I can only whole recommend Elke as ‘Mayor of the year’.

Not only does she honestly and without any hidden agenda (ie gaining personal or friend’s benefits) look after the well-being of the less well-off inhabitants, but also she is a very inclusive character. Her aim is obviously co-operation with rather than overruling other parties - be it coalition or opposition. That particularly can be felt in comparison to the previous mayor and city government. Kind regards.

N.B. I am neither supporter nor member of Elke Kahrs party. So my verdict can be considered pretty objective. 


Commended by Franz G., Graz
Die Frau Bürgermeister Elke Kahr hat mir in einer sehr schwierigen Zeit sofort geholfen, ohne zu fragen, wer bist Du?  was hast Du? oder woher kommst Du?

Deshalb ist sie für mich die beste Bürgermeistererin und eine tolle Frau.
Ein herzliches Dankeschön


Commended by Josef R., Graz
Eine sozial eingestellte, bodenständige Frau, integer, integrativ und anständig. Sie lebt ihre Werte, unterstützt individuell bedürftige und arbeitet für das Gemeinwohl.
 

Commended by Hannes F., Graz
Meine Stimme als World Mayor 2023 gehört Frau Bürgermeisterin Elke Kahr, die sich seit vielen Jahren in unserer Stadt Graz in selbstloser Weise für den nicht privilegierten Teil der Stadtbevölkerung einsetzt.


Commended by Wenzel P., Graz
Elke Kahr is a great person, as she does her politics without relying on the media to transport herself. She goes out to the people and takes her own notice of their needs. Something that politicians seem to have to learn that listing to the people is not done by speeches on TV with reading online comments afterwards.

Many things that she did - that others said were socialist, are still happily used by those the critique her (e.g. all those wide and nice bike roads throughout the city, it the new trams to the new neighbourhoods…).


Commended by Johanna H., Graz
Ich begrüsse die Wahl dieser Frau, viele Politiker könnten sich ein Beispiel an dieser Frau nehmen! Viel Glück


Commended by Cornelius S., Graz
Elke Kahr is the only one in our country that make politicians feel human.


Commended by Gerit M., Graz
Elke Kahr is doing politics for people. I very much like her authenticity.


Commended by Heike S., Leipzig, Germany
Meine Stimme geht nach Graz. Politisches Engagement weit ab vom Bezug großer Gehälter beeindruckt mich. Beste Grüße aus Leipzig.

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ABOUT WORLD MAYOR
The World Mayor Project was conceived in 2004 to raise the profile of mayors worldwide and honour those who contributed exceptionally to urban affairs. The Honours are awarded to mayors who have worked for the benefit of all citizens, irrespective of race, gender, religion, politics or legal status. The World Mayor Prize also recognises its recipients’ constructive engagement in social affairs, the environment, cross-border cooperation and peace efforts.

Winners of the World Mayor Prize since 2004: Edi Rama, Tirana (2004); Dora Bakoyannis, Athens (2005); John So, Melbourne (2006); Helen Zille, Cape Town (2008); Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico City (2010); Iñaki Azkuna, Bilbao (2012); Naheed Nenshi, Calgary (2014); Bart Somers, Mechelen (2016); Valeria Mancinelli, Ancona (2018); Ahmed Aboutaleb, Rotterdam (2021); Philippe Rio, Grigny (2021).