What happens now

Now the power struggle for Mahrer’s successor begins

Things are going haywire in the chamber, the power struggle has long since begun.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Gerhard Bartel, Mario Urbantschitsch, EXPA/APA/picturedesk.com, WKOÖ/Hannes Buchinger, Richard Heitz, Martin Jöchl)

Harald Mahrer is stepping down as head of the Chamber of Commerce. Tyrolean Vice President Martha Schultz will automatically take over. However, she is only likely to be an interim solution and will soon be replaced. 

WKO President Mahrer announced an orderly handover both in the chamber and in the Wirtschaftsbund via online video on Thursday. In reality, however, the trench warfare over the succession has long since begun.

As soon as the signs of Mahrer's rapid resignation began to emerge, many names were put forward as possible successors. His Vice President Martha Schultz will automatically take over. This means that the Vorarlberg Chamber President Karl-Heinz Kopf is more likely to be off the table. Like Mahrer, he is also considered more of an "apparatchik" than an entrepreneur, as one insider puts it. The 68-year-old would not be a "reform president" or a sign of renewal.

Hummer and Thaler led the uprising
Upper Austrian President Doris Hummer and Tyrolean boss Barbara Thaler are also likely to be options. Both had already led the uprising against Mahrer before the crisis meeting convened by him last Sunday.

Doris Hummer from Upper Austria is repeatedly being touted as his successor.(Bild: Cityfoto/Wolfgang Simlinger)

However, the fact that they both belong to the group of provincial presidents whose salaries have risen by 50 to 60 percent this year speaks against them. They are therefore also subject to criticism and were involved in many decisions themselves. In addition, the two of them could lack power and assertiveness, as they lack the support of other important provinces.

Two camps in the Chamber of Commerce
There are apparently two opposing camps in the Chamber of Commerce: On the one hand, Mahrer's opponents, led by Hummer and Thaler. On the other side, Mahrer's former supporters around the Vienna President Walter Ruck. Carinthia and Styria are also among them.

ÖVP State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner sided with the incumbent leader Harald Mahrer.(Bild: APA/PAUL GRUBER)

Elisabeth Zehetner (ÖVP), State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, is also said to have been in the draw for the successor. However, she waves her hand and defends the incumbent president: "I have known Harald Mahrer for many years and appreciate him for his integrity and drive. He has accepted the criticism, drawn swift conclusions and held out the prospect of reforms. As someone who knows the Chamber of Commerce, I am aware of the great value this organization has for our companies and the location. I am convinced that Harald Mahrer has the creative power to convey this value."

Zehetner does not come from the business world either, but was previously an employee of the Chamber. The current WKO Secretary General Jochen Danninger is also not an option, as he is not self-employed either.

Styrian with outsider chances
Styrian vehicle and agricultural machinery dealer Philipp Gady could have an outside chance. He was Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce until the middle of the year and is regarded as an established and well-connected entrepreneur.

Long-term solution could be a long time coming
The search for a new solution may take some time. A meeting of the provincial presidents will take place on Friday, at which only the initial course will probably be set. After all, it is not that easy to find a successor. Schultz has already stated that she is not seeking the post. A permanent successor would have to be approved by the economic parliament. The Black Economic Association, which is dominant there, could merely nominate a person very soon who would then be the designated president.

Governors' initiative is not only well received
The fact that the powerful ÖVP provincial governors Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Thomas Stelzer opposed Mahrer on Wednesday is not appreciated by some in the chamber. Both also come from the ÖVP employees' association ÖAAB. There is also talk of "distractions from their own budget problems".