Change at the top of the WKO

Now fixed: Schultz takes over after Mahrer retires

The 62-year-old cable car operator and WKÖ Vice President succeeds Harald Mahrer on an interim basis - she is seen as a voice for women in business.(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

Martha Schultz is moving to the top - at least temporarily. Following the withdrawal of Harald Mahrer, the Tyrolean businesswoman will take over the leadership of both the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and the ÖVP Economic Association on an interim basis from Saturday. This brings into the limelight a well-connected tourism expert who has already worked closely alongside Mahrer.

Martha Schultz is stepping up - in the middle of a phase in which the Chamber of Commerce is under massive pressure. This was announced by the Economic Association in a press release on Friday afternoon, after the presidents of the provinces had consulted with each other.

The 62-year-old tourism expert will become President of the Chamber of Commerce, while she will take on the executive role in the ÖVP Economic Association. Schultz is considered to be well connected within the People's Party and was already Mahrer's deputy - now she is to lead the organizations through the transition phase.

The 62-year-old cable car operator and WKÖ Vice President succeeds Harald Mahrer on an interim basis - she is regarded as the voice for women in business.(Bild: Mario Urbantschitsch)

She immediately addressed her employees in an email. She is "clearly aware of how slowly trust grows and how quickly it is lost again." She continued: "We must now show that the Chamber of Commerce is ready to change. The Chamber of Commerce belongs to the entrepreneurs and not to the headlines".

Involuntary change at the top
The change at the top was not voluntary: Harald Mahrer had to resign after losing support within his own ranks. This was triggered by salary increases for chamber employees well above inflation as well as massive increases in compensation for members of the Executive Committee.

The inadequate communication surrounding these decisions and criticism of Mahrer's multiple salaries also put him under pressure. His announced resignation as President of the National Bank was not enough - in the end, he also had to resign as head of the Austrian Economic Chamber and President of the Economic Association. The Wirtschaftsbund is one of the central sub-organizations of the ÖVP.

Loud calls for reform of the chamber continue
Parallel to the change in leadership, calls for structural reforms in the Chamber of Commerce have become louder. The organization must become "leaner and more cost-effective" for member companies, the Federation of Austrian Industries declared on Friday. The debate about savings and transparency is likely to accompany Schultz right from the start of her interim term of office.