From zero to one hundred, SPÖ rebel Andreas Babler (50) took second place in the membership survey. With the “Krone” he talks about his unusual fight, Bruno Kreisky and Karl Marx and a song that made him what he is today.
“Play quietly please!” is written on a sign on the door of the office of the mayor of Traiskirchen, who also takes guitar lessons here. Andreas Babler kindly runs out, he has his Magyar Vizsla wirehaired dog “Ika” in tow as he ushers us into his kingdom. Behind the desk is a portrait – no, not of Marx, but of the socially critical songwriter Sigi Maron. There is a children’s playground for younger visitors. On the bookshelf are nine volumes by Otto Bauer, “I bought them at the time in the SPÖ bookshop on Löwelstrasse in Vienna”, and a crucifix of the mayor of the refugee island of Lampedusa, which was actually intended for the pope.
The balloon for his 50th birthday in February is already hanging a little tired from the ceiling. Babler’s wife – he has known her since 1997 – sits at the conference table during the interview and works on her laptop. “Ika” first eats the two eyes and ears of a cuddly owl and then also the nose, which all end up on the ground. When we are almost done, the results of a poll come in, according to which the SPÖ would receive more votes under Babler than under Doskozil. The contender for the SPÖ presidency wears a light blue suit with a small red badge on the lapel, a gift from the Carinthian governor Peter Kaiser, who stole the idea from Olaf Scholz.
“crown”: Are you actually a bit annoyed that you didn’t get 2316 extra votes in the SPÖ vote? You missed them at number 1.
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.
