"He's still picking something"

WKO: Crisis summit and rumors about successor

The WKO boss is under internal pressure.(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

The now highly controversial President of the Chamber of Commerce, Harald Mahrer, has successfully resisted his replacement at the crisis summit he himself convened with representatives of the federal states. Although the 52-year-old has been counted out after this power struggle, he will remain in office for the time being.

He actually wanted to use the meeting to get backing from the chamber's functionaries after the furor over salary increases and lavish salaries for top officials, but it turned into a fight for political survival.

Mahrer's support in the chamber manageable
Significant forces wanted to chase Mahrer out of office. The Viennese's support in the chamber is limited. Resistance formed in the run-up to the crisis meeting. Two women, Barbara Thaler from Tyrol and Doris Hummer from Upper Austria, led the way. Both publicly criticized Mahrer's approach to the salary debate.

Thaler spoke in the "Krone" newspaper of a "single disaster and a big mistake that has cost a lot of trust". The head of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, Walter Ruck, is also said to be less than well-disposed towards Mahrer. This may be due to the fact that he would have liked to have become head of the WKO himself in 2018.

Doris Hummer is already being touted as the favorite behind the scenes.(Bild: WKOÖ/Hannes Buchinger)

Barbara Thaler is personally "shocked and devastated".(Bild: Birbaumer Christof)

Upper Austrian Hummer as successor
Mahrer's opponents already had a successor ready in case they could force him to resign. Upper Austrian Hummer was put in the running.

Should make up for damage
However, Mahrer fought tooth and nail against his replacement during the hour-long debates. "He's still picking at something," reported an insider from the meeting. Although Mahrer was able to assert himself, he is now expected to make up for the damage done. He must restore trust among both the officials and the members. However, his opponents are very skeptical that he will be able to do this.

Many are of the opinion that the resignation has only been postponed - just like the salary increase for employees, which sparked the whole debate. "It only hurts even more if you delay something like this," says one skeptic.

"Council of wise men" under consideration
Mahrer has not communicated anything officially for the time being. It remains to be seen how he intends to get back on the offensive. In any case, the Chamber will have to polish up its tarnished image after the communication disaster. According to reports, there will be further working groups. A "council of wise men" is also being considered.

As far as salaries are concerned, there will be no increase in compensation for top treasurers in the coming year. However, Mahrer wants to stick to the system of salary adjustments for employees, although he expressed his willingness to discuss this before the summit. Mahrer ruled out a reduction in chamber levies, as demanded by NEOS and the Greens, for example.