Lower Austrian candidate Schnabl has to give way. There is a lot of frustration in the party – the FPÖ is withdrawing. A stormy spring is ahead of the Reds. Including power struggle for the party leadership.
The eruption of election Sunday has a first personnel consequence in the SPÖ. Top candidate Franz Schnabl, 64, has to give way. Yesterday we fought until late at night. Result: Schnabl also loses his job. He is followed by Lower Austrian AMS boss Sven Hergovich, who is 30 years younger than Schnabl. And a signal for the future of social democracy.
The frustration about the loss of 3.3 percent in Niederösterreich ran too deep. Head shaking also caused the reaction of the party leadership. Club Vice Jörg Leichtfried spoke of a “small flaw”.
While the FPÖ approved a plus of 9.4 percent and the Reds escaped. “Apparently we need a few more defeats before some of those up there realize the seriousness of the situation,” says an upper Red.
Someone who is speaking openly is SPÖ-Salzburg boss David Egger: “The Vienna must finally think.” The SPÖ should “ask what is going on in the federal states that we don’t get to”. However, Egger does not want to hold the debate for three months. After the elections in Carinthia (March 5) and Salzburg (April 23).
Especially with regard to the Carinthian head of state Peter Kaiser, no leadership debate is desired in the federal government. “Then it will be discussed”, important comrades reveal. “The subjects are made for us. But at management level we lack credibility.” The ÖVP destroys itself, but the SPÖ cannot use it – unlike the FPÖ.
Again and again a name pops up as an alternative to party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner: Hans Peter Doskozil. The mighty Burgenlander shows his ambitions. He is not without controversy in the party, but also has strong supporters. Doskozil itself holds back. According to his office, they do not want to cause unrest before the elections. It’s the calm before a spring storm.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
