At the launch of the SPÖ election campaign in Linz, Andreas Babler swore to his comrades that the country was on the verge of a split.
For the Social Democrats, the catch-up race should begin where the loudest crash recently took place: party chairman Andreas Babler had to speak out so that he could extinguish the fire caused by mayor Klaus Luger. We are talking about the mendacious affair that ultimately cost Luger his office – and caused the SPÖ painful discussions.
‘Buberl wanted to divide the republic’
Nothing more was heard of this on Thursday evening. The comrades came from all over Austria to set a good example in Linz. The city has been consistently red since 1945 and in 2003 still had an absolute majority in the city council with 53.4 percent. You look back a lot on this day, to a time when the SPÖ was at the head of the state.
Attack on “Buberl” as ex-chancellor Kurz
That’s where the party wants to go again: in front of the Ars Electronica Center in Linz, the most loyal “Bablerans” are sitting in what feels like 35 degrees of heat. This time it’s not about the mayor, but about the chancellor. Babler appears in Linz to loud cheers. The DJ plays ‘Can’t Stop’ by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Then the chairman goes on stage. He talks about the ‘Buberls who thought they could divide the republic’. An attack on ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his friends. Applause, cheering, the visitors raise the red flags. Babler is loud, Babler is emotional. It’s about children’s rights, about fair pensions, about schools and teachers, about doctors and nurses.
The Lower Austrian at the head of the SPÖ swears by his people and promises: “We are able to make a difference in the country. We will surprise in Austria.” Babler now sees the party united after the quarrels of the past weeks. There is only one goal and that must be achieved after the next five weeks, namely the first place on September 29.
The SPÖ chairman received local support from many red grandees. Viennese mayor Michael Ludwig was present, as was Lower Austrian Sven Hergovich. Some former ministers applauded from the beer benches in front of the stage, as did trade unionist Josef Muchitsch and AK president Renate Anderl.
The state leaders Peter Kaiser, Georg Dornauer and Hans Peter Doskozil were not there. Instead, the 2nd president of the National Council, Doris Bures. By criticizing Babler and the program, she caused the latest scandal in the SPÖ.
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.
