After the hunting affair

Georg Dornauer fights for the district party chairmanship

Handshake between the opponents: Bernhard Höfler (left) and Georg Dornauer(Bild: Manuel Schwaiger)

The district conference of the SPÖ in the Innsbruck-Land district was eagerly awaited on Saturday. There, the current chairman, Georg Dornauer, had to face his challenger, the trade unionist Bernhard Höfler - and lost.

"I will continue to be a force to be reckoned with" - with this statement, former SPÖ leader Georg Dornauer caused quite a stir in a "Krone" interview at the beginning of the year. He said he wanted to look to the future with confidence. Today, on Saturday, he had to face a new challenge after the Benko hunting affair in Tyrol's most populous district.

(Bild: Manuel Schwaiger)

Trade unionist Bernhard Höfler challenged him for the position of SPÖ chairman in the district. The question of who would be head of the district was decided in a vote at the district party conference.

The hall in Rum was well filled.(Bild: Manuel Schwaiger)

Hunting affair and a step "to the side"
Georg Dornauer "stepped aside" after the inglorious hunting affair surrounding real estate juggler René Benko, as he announced at a press conference in November. As a result, he relinquished his position as deputy governor, which was taken over by Philip Wohlgemuth. Dornauer now sits as a "normal" member of the Tyrolean state parliament.

"Many comrades who are behind me"
Shortly before the start of the party conference, Dornauer told the "Krone" that "I have many comrades here in the hall who are still behind me". He did not want to name a specific number that he would like to see in the election. "It will come as it comes," he said calmly.

LHStv. Philip Wohlgemuth(Bild: Manuel Schwaiger)

"We need objective politics"
LHStv. Philip Wohlgemuth was the first speaker to take to the podium. He told those present that we need objective politics without populism again. He expressed his relief at the end of the coalition negotiations at federal level. The fact that the FPÖ would not be joining a government after all was important for Austria's future. Now, however, a stable government is needed quickly. "People are fed up with the squabbles of recent weeks."

Regarding the vote, he said that "I am sure that everyone will use their vote responsibly. Let's not allow ourselves to be divided and let's fight as a team for everyone who lives here."

Georg Dornauer during his speech.(Bild: Manuel Schwaiger)

"I apologize for this photo"
Dornauer referred to his successes in the state government. For example, his commitment to affordable housing or to the dying baths. The highlight was an apology to his comrades. "I would love nothing more than to undo this pointless hunting trip." He had withdrawn from the state parliament mandate.

"Some people now want to use my mistake to bring down the political figure of Dornauer." But he would not allow that to happen. Furthermore, Dornauer swore that there was no business whatsoever with mega-bankrupt Rene Benko. "I apologize for this photo," said the Sellrainer. 

He will continue to play a constructive role in the work of the SPÖ. This also applies to the federal level. 

(Bild: Manuel Schwaiger)

"Improving living conditions in communities"
 His opponent Höfler took to the podium immediately after Dornauer. "A party chairman needs partners in order to be able to implement projects." He wants to weld the local groups together and "improve living conditions in the communities". The SPÖ stands for social justice, progress, cohesion and better living conditions. No one needs trench warfare over wings in the party, said Höfler.

"Let's not forget. If one person believes in it, it's a dream. If several people believe in it, it's a vision," Höfler concluded by swearing the comrades on.

After Dornauer and Höfler, the campaigning deputies took to the podium.

Höfler won with 124 votes
The result of the election was finally announced at 1.15 pm. 211 delegates were called to the polls. Bernhard Höfler was the clear winner with 124 votes or 59 percent. Dornauer therefore received 87 votes or 41 percent.