"Krone" commentary

Quarrels

Conny Bischofberger comments on current moments for the "Krone".(Bild: stock.adobe.com, Krone KREATIV)

When the first woman to head the Social Democrats, worn down by internal squabbles, stepped down in May 2023, it looked as if Hans Peter Doskozil would take over the party. And as if the eternal cross-fire would come to an end, because the biggest critic within the party was claiming leadership himself. It turned out quite differently.

Now the new SPÖ chairman Andreas Babler finds himself in a similar situation to Pamela Rendi-Wagner before him. Back then, she was not even helped by a member survey in which she received 71.4 percent approval. Nevertheless, the trench warfare continued.

Her successor is also the subject of lively cross-fire. Most recently again by the governor of Burgenland, who told Babler via "Heute" that he would certainly not allow his mouth to be shut. Previously, the powerful trade union boss Josef Muchitsch had already publicly questioned the central points of Babler's economic policy. Behind closed doors, people are already discussing whether the party chairman should not leave the candidacy for chancellor to someone else. And then there is the demand from "Section 8" to exclude "salary emperor" Alfred Gusenbauer from the party.

Quite a lot of obstacles that parts of the Social Democrats are putting in the way of their chairman. And all this seven months before the National Council elections. It should be clear to everyone where this is leading. At least not to the top.