Party expulsion

SPÖ leader Leiter shows SJ members the door

The SJ Vorarlberg's election recommendation has finally broken the camel's back.(Bild: Screeshot)

The election appeal of the board members of the Socialist Youth Vorarlberg has the expected consequences: The SPÖ Vorarlberg will expel from the party all those who were involved in the unanimous decision to recommend the election and who are also members of the SPÖ Vorarlberg. 

A controversial pro-Palestine posting by the SJ Vorarlberg had recently caused unrest in the party and led to investigations by the public prosecutor's office and arbitration proceedings by the party. Those responsible around SJ leader Sonja Kopf got off lightly in both cases. 

Unlike Gabi Sprickler-Falschlunger, chairwoman of the arbitration tribunal, party leader Mario Leiter will not put mercy before justice this time. "The SPÖ statute is clear on this issue: anyone who calls on people to vote for another party must be excluded," he said in a brief press statement.

In order to expel the SJ board members involved, Mario Leiter must convene the members of the extended party board. A deadline of 48 hours applies. The rebellious young socialists could therefore be expelled before the National Council elections on Sunday.