Birgit Hebein

In November 2018, the Vienna Greens held an election to determine their lead candidate for the next state election. After incumbent Deputy Mayor and two-time lead candidate Maria Vassilakou announced her pending retirement and decision not to compete, the election was considered an open contest.[9] Hebein announced her candidacy two days later on 4 September.[10] She was considered a dark horse candidate,[11] described by Der Standard as a representative of the left "Fundi" wing of the party.[4] Hebein won 33% of votes cast in the first round, placing second behind Peter Kraus and ahead of candidates David Ellensohn, Benjamin Kaan, and Marihan Abensperg-Traun. In the fourth and final round of voting, she won the election with 49% of votes to Kraus's 45% (the remainder were invalid).[12][13] Contrary to the speculation of commentators, she clarified that she would continue the Greens' coalition with the SPÖ until the scheduled election date in 2020. Her reputation as a left-winger was reinforced by a widely-reported quip she made shortly after her victory: "Yes, of course I do left-wing politics. What else?"[11][14]

During her first major appearance in front of the party base on 1 December, Hebein voiced her support for a restructuring and opening of the Greens. She stated her aim is to make the party more nimble and action-oriented, but that they should remain ecologically-centred.[15]

Upon Maria Vassilakou's retirement from politics in June 2019, Hebein succeeded her as deputy Mayor and city councillor.[1] The Greens' state congress held at the time voted to change the statutes and, for the first time, establish the office of party chairperson. Hebein thus became the first party chairwoman of the Vienna Greens.[2]

At a party conference in February 2020, Hebein was formally chosen as the Greens' lead candidate for the October state election.[16]

The Greens won 14.8% in the election, their best result to date. They increased their representation in the Gemeinderat and Landtag from 10 to 16 seats. Afterwards, Hebein called for a renewal of the incumbent SPÖ–Green government, citing the result as a "very clear mandate" for its continuation.[17]

However, the SPÖ opted to form a coalition with NEOS rather than renew the incumbent government. After it became clear that the Greens would return to opposition, Hebein unsuccessfully sought election as Greens parliamentary chair, as well as to each of the Greens' non-executive city council positions. Afterwards, she announced she would not take up her seat in the Gemeinderat and Landtag.[18] Shortly before the swearing-in of the new city government, she announced she planned to resign as state party leader prior to the scheduled end of her term in 2021.[19] Hebein left office as Vice Mayor and city councillor on 24 November.[3]