FPÖ on the advance

SPÖ leader Babler warns against “prison à la Kickl”

SPÖ federal party leader Andreas Babler sharply criticized the turquoise-green federal government at the club meeting of the Viennese comrades, but also launched attacks against the FPÖ.

(Bild: APA/Robert Jäger)

The two-day club meeting of the Vienna SPÖ kicked off in Frauenkirchen in Burgenland on Tuesday. SPÖ leader Andreas Babler was there for the first time. He used his appearance to once again warn against an ÖVP-FPÖ government or a "prison à la Kickl", which he sees as imminent if the Freedom Party comes to power.

Austria is facing a decision on direction. This government is "finished", now it is time to stop an authoritarian turn. Babler fears "attacks" on democratic institutions from the judiciary to the Chamber of Labor.

Babler: closing ranks with the Vienna SPÖ
All the more reason for the SPÖ chairman to see his party's successes as necessary and to close ranks with the Viennese regional organization after the one or other dissonance in recent months. Babler emphasized that he knew that Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) was at his side to make social democracy tangible.

Babler again campaigns for a reduction in working hours
In terms of content, the head of the SPÖ devoted a great deal of space to combating the climate crisis, even seeing free access to drinking water in danger as a result. There was also a lot of talk about inflation, which takes away people's dignity. Finally, Babler also called for a gradual reduction in working hours towards a four-day week, starting with care.

Austria is on the verge of making a decision. This government is finished, now it is time to stop an authoritarian turnaround.

SPÖ-Bundesparteichef Andreas Babler

This demand also shaped the speech by Chamber of Labor President Renate Anderl, who was allowed to make an appearance in view of the Chamber of Labor election campaign. Where working hours had already been reduced, employees had become more productive and there had been fewer sick days: "The future must be that we go down." Anderl also pressed for an expansion of apprenticeship training. The head of the AK argued why people should vote Social Democrat: "Because we are the good ones who work day in, day out for the many."

Mayor Michael Ludwig (left), SPÖ Chairman Andreas Babler and AK President Renate Anderl

(Bild: APA/ROBERT JAEGER)

SPÖ federal party leader Andreas Babler sharply criticized the turquoise-green federal government at the club meeting of the Viennese comrades, but also attacked the FPÖ.

(Bild: APA/ROBERT JAEGER)

Ludwig also attacks the federal government
Vienna's SPÖ leader Ludwig was also not sparing in his criticism of the federal government. Referring to current surveys, he said that inflation was the main issue of concern for people in the country. Inflation in Austria is above average, he said. "This is of course due to the fact that the federal government has not taken any measures such as a gas price or rent cap." However, Vienna knows how to help itself, Ludwig affirmed. The city boss referred to Viennese measures such as the housing bonus or the waiver of a rent increase in municipal housing. 185,000 tenancies are affected by this, he emphasized.

We are not excluding anyone - except the FPÖ.

Wiens Bürgermeister Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) zu möglichen Koalitionen auf Bundesebene

Ludwig assures Babler of his support
He assured Babler of his support for the National Council elections. The Vienna regional organization is always loyal and will do everything in its power to contribute to a good SPÖ result. "Dear Andi, you can be sure that we will make our contribution as the Vienna SPÖ." Internal discussions are important, but we want to present a united front to the outside world. In terms of coalitions, he made it clear: "We are not excluding anyone - except the FPÖ." This is not a question of sympathy, he said, but of fundamental values. The Freedom Party would have a diametrically different view here - for example with regard to the recognition of scientific findings.

Burgenland SPÖ not taking part
The club meeting will once again take place at the St. Martins Therme and Lodge - the now traditional venue. Ludwig and Anderl entered the seminar room together at the start of the event to applause and the sounds of the classic hit "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" by Fleetwod Mac. The Burgenland regional party was not represented at the start of the event, as relations with the party remain cool.

Last year, the club meeting took place in the shadow of the SPÖ leadership crisis. The then party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner had called for unity within the party in her speech. The governor of Burgenland, Hans Peter Doskozil, promptly declared on the same day that he would run for the party chairmanship.