Behind the scenes

Embrace triggers resentment after Luger resignation

Babler called on Luger to withdraw, but at the same time caused displeasure with a hug.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Fotokerschi.at/APA/picturedesk, Babler/Instagram,)

What ultimately prompted Linz city leader Klaus Luger to resign: was it Andreas Babler's pressure or late insight? Opinions differ within the party. A hearty hug from Babler is an additional sour note for many surprised comrades ...

On Wednesday evening, Andreas Babler was celebrated at a party event in Vienna-Leopoldstadt. Shortly beforehand, he made a public media appearance as a hardliner. "Such behavior has no place in a social democracy under my leadership", Babler announced in the direction of the mayor of Linz. At the time, Klaus Luger was still refusing to officially resign. A few hours later, everything changed.