Deputy Arrives

A bombshell: Chamber President Ruck resigns

Walter Ruck is—after considerable pressure, including from President Martha Schultz—now a thing of the past at the Chamber of Commerce.(Bild: APA/HANS KLAUS TECHT)

Following the wiretapping scandal uncovered by “Krone” and “profil,” the pressure on the head of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce ultimately became too much. Walter Ruck is stepping down and plans to “retire to private life.” 

Ruck announced his resignation on Thursday morning during the executive board meeting of the Vienna Economic Association. His duties as head of both the Economic Association and the Chamber will be taken over by his former deputy, Margarete Kriz-Zwittkovits.

Successor Aims to Restore Trust
“Even though these major responsibilities have come as a surprise to me, I look forward to the challenge of doing my part to ensure that the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and the Vienna Economic Association can move toward a successful future,” said the new leader. She wants to “organize a fresh start” as quickly as possible and “restore the lost trust.”

Controversial Recording Brought Chamber President Down
Among other things, Walter Ruck had faced allegations of job-fixing for family members. He had also drawn criticism for misogynistic remarks and collusion with Vienna’s Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) captured on an audio recording.

After “Krone” and “profil” published excerpts from the statements, the pressure within his party had become too great: The ÖVP expelled Ruck from the party. While even Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker and WKÖ Chairwoman Martha Schultz distanced themselves from the former chamber president, Ludwig stood by him until the very end. 

Given the Chamber’s complex structures, Ruck’s “voluntary” resignation was virtually the only way to make a fresh start. Removing the president would have required the approval of the Economic Parliament.