SPÖ chairman Andreas Babler is also polarizing in his party. There are powerful critics and supporters: a battle for common ground.
Never-ending expressions of solidarity and friendship. As if there has never been bad blood in the struggle for the SPÖ leadership. All from Team Babler. Everyone works together, including the defeated head of state of Burgenland, Hans Peter Doskosil, and the important mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig. But stop. Apparently, the declared rope team doesn’t get to the top that easily. “In this way, an agreement in the party is hardly possible,” says a red grandee to the “crown”.
Debates about the 32-hour working week and 100 km/h
It refers to recent public debates. Neoboss Andreas Babler demands a 32-hour week, membership decision at party leadership and party program, wants speed limits on highways and freedom for cannabis. Ludwig clearly contradicted himself in the “press” and does not want to exclude the ÖVP as a coalition partner. The Burgenland Federal Councilor Günter Kovacs also voiced strong criticism – for example at 100 km/h. You cannot make such demands of the majority, say he and other comrades who express their dissatisfaction with the states towards the Vienna. Remnants of the recent past.
Another sensitive point for Ludwig is the Lobau tunnel, which Babler takes a critical look at. He declined to comment on the resistance. “We debate internally about substantive differences. We have agreed on that,” says his agency. The “we” doesn’t seem to refer to everyone. Crossfires from the Doskozi camp are currently not taking place. They also do not want to comment on the treatises.
Another powerful Red is the governor of Carinthia, Peter Kaiser. What he thinks of Babler’s suggestions about cannabis and Co., he does not want to answer specifically. “But it is clear that not all discussion proposals can be implemented immediately and 1:1. The discussions within the party must also be discussed internally and constructively.” Kaiser also sees positive things in the friction. Babler brings a lot of fresh air to domestic politics. “This is to be welcomed insofar as there is a substantive leeway, especially with the government.” The SPÖ is the only party that not only talks about freedom of expression, but also lives it.
ÖVP: “SPÖ is still waging trench warfare”
Of course, the ÖVP interprets events differently. General Christian Stocker believes the SPÖ is still engaged in “trench warfare”. “While it is gratifying to see that not all parts of the SPÖ support the Marxist course, the question arises whether the SPÖ is able to act.” However, another question has been answered – whether the 2024 election campaign has already started. .
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.
