Today in Graz everything is focused on Brussels. The SPÖ party conference will set the course for successful EU elections next year. In the past, old and new party leaders have often criticized the alliance of states.
The SPÖ will conclude its party conference in Graz on Sunday with the selection of candidates for the EU elections. Just like last time, Andreas Schieder is at the top, followed by the Vice-President of the European Parliament Evelyn Regner. The filling of the positions on the list below caused disagreements in advance, which even motivated the Burgenland state organization to abandon candidates.
Federal party leader Andreas Babler, who was re-elected on Saturday, will also take a position on the EU. It is expected that he will use significantly milder tones than a few years ago. Political observers expect the SPÖ leader to make a clear commitment to Brussels.
In 2020, he called the European Union the “most aggressive foreign policy military alliance ever.” The Union’s doctrine is “worse than NATO”. Babler found this EU “not interesting at all”. The videos that surfaced again this year caused people to shake their heads, after which Schieder had to make it clear: the SPÖ remains a “clearly pro-European party”.
Criticism of refugee policy
Babler wrote in a statement that his criticism of the EU has always been strongly influenced by his perspective as mayor of Traiskirchen. And further: “In my hometown you can’t just look away, I experience the failure of the EU refugee policy on my doorstep every day. It is my responsibility as mayor to address this.”
Babler positioned itself as an alternative to Kickl
In his application speech on Saturday to almost 600 delegates and 400 guests at the Graz trade fair, Babler positioned himself as the only alternative to Chancellor Herbert Kickl (FPÖ). When it comes to the EU, he announced that he will discuss it in more detail on Sunday.
The old and new chairman spoke for an hour in his own style, fast, loud and without fear of pathos.
His assessment so far after “five extraordinary months” with 16,000 new members was, as expected, positive: “We have achieved leadership on this issue.” Because we are now a social democracy that once again shows a clear lead, it speaks a clear language and is not afraid of anything or anyone. In the afternoon, in addition to the election of the chairman, the committees were also re-designated. A lawyer from Lower Austria prevented further disruptions.
Twelve important substantive proposals were discussed and voted on. The issue that attracted the most attention in advance was to make the fight against inflation a constitutional provision. The working time reduction is only necessary as a pilot project. The new statute, which the Viennese party in particular is skeptical about, provides for a second election for the party leadership in the future if more than one person stands as a candidate.
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.
