Pig's Dream Team Is Set

ORF Power Struggle: 13 Top Jobs to Be Filled Today

Four central directors and nine regional directors were appointed by the Foundation Board.(Bild: Jennifer Kapellari)

Showdown at Küniglberg: The ORF Foundation Board has made a decision regarding the new leadership team of Director General Clemens Pig. All 13 of his preferred candidates were confirmed—and the high-profile lawsuit filed by his predecessor, Roland Weißmann, against the broadcaster has been postponed. You can read about all the developments in the “Krone” live ticker.

The most important developments regarding the ORF director selection, in a nutshell:

• TheORF Foundation Boardhasmade decisions on13 top positions: The four central directors and all nine heads of the regional studios were appointed at Küniglberg by a clear majority.
• Clemens Pig nominatedfive women and eight men. Only one of the current central directors (Harald Kräuter) will remain in office; there will also be changes at four regional studios. Here you can see Pig’sentire team.
• FPÖ Foundation Board memberPeter Westenthalerwantedto postpone the election. He citeda lack of transparency in the processand possible “cronyism.” Before the meeting, he compared Pig to a North Korean dictator.
• After the meeting, events unfolded in rapid succession: Just minutes after the resignation of Foundation Board Vice Chair Gregor Schütze, Ingrid Thurnher announced that she would join the lawsuits against her predecessor’s predecessor , former ORF boss Alexander Wrabetz.   
• Thecase of Roland Weißmann added further drama: On the very day of the directors’ election, thetrialconcerningthe dismissalof the former ORF Director General began—and, following initial verbal exchanges, was adjourned until November 20.
• “Krone” Editor-in-Chief Klaus Herrmann leveled sharp criticism: While numerous ORF executives have been suspended or dismissed,Foundation Board Chairman Heinz Ledereris allowed to continue working—and appoint Pigs’ team of directors—despiteongoing investigationsintoallegations of coercion.“What’s going on here?”