The new federal party leader will be a guest at the prestigious SPÖ event in Linz on Thursday. The fact that he also meets high-ranking critics from within the party makes the evening explosive. But one of the most famous Babeler critics did not even come.
A trip to Linz will probably always leave a stale aftertaste for Andreas Babler: the grotesque circumstances under which he was elected party leader of the SPÖ here just over a month ago will remain unforgettable.
Friendship?
It’s that time again on Thursday: Babler is coming to Linz to attend the summer festival of the Association of Social Democratic Academics at Linz Castle. More than 800 comrades are expected. And even if the usual greeting among Social Democrats is “friendship” – in Linz today Babeler will also meet comrades who are less friendly towards him.
Major critic Luger
As is known, party leaders Michael Lindner (SP head of state) and Klaus Luger (Linz mayor) had preferred Babler’s opponent Hans Peter Doskozil as the new party chairman. While Lindner switched sides immediately after Babler’s botched freestyle, Luger remains steadfast. The media reports his criticism of Babler’s liberal stance on the 100 km/h speed limit and the climate stickers, as well as the idea of getting future coalition pacts approved by the rank and file.
Neighborhood tour is on the program
So does he come to Linz feeling sick? “Not at all, there was a warm welcome to the state party conference,” says Babler. In terms of party statute modernization, the SPÖ Upper Austria is a role model, and it will always be happy to come to Upper Austria as part of its planned district tour – it plans to present a schedule for this in July.
‘I didn’t even read the reports’
He dismisses a dispute with Luger: “I have not even read the media reports. It is important that we work together on a new substantive positioning.” And here they are pulling together on the “currently most important topic”, the fight against inflation. In addition, the democratization of the party is a common goal. “We are working on a solution that everyone supports. I am confident and open-minded.”
Climate glue debate
Babler does not see the fact that Luger sharply criticizes the climate stickers as a major fault line: “The question of which form of action is chosen is justified. But I understand the concerns of young people who are concerned about the future of the planet.”
Luger skipped
On the invitation to the 17th Red Night at the Schlossberg Linz, SP city boss Klaus Luger was still right behind state councilor and state party leader Michael Lindner. But Luger didn’t come – reportedly due to a scheduling conflict. The red grandees present did not comment on this and preferred to stand around the new association chairman Andreas Babler for a selfie, who was greeted with thunderous applause by 800 guests.
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.
