Rate the ORF Appearance

Babler: “The Greens wouldn’t have been able to pull that off!”

ORF “Summer Interview”: SPÖ leader Andreas Babler answered questions from host Simone Stribl.(Bild: Imre Antal)

Andreas Babler was a guest on Monday evening’s third episode of ORF’s “Sommergespräche.” The Vice Chancellor and SPÖ leader is in the midst of a serious political crisis. His party is in free fall in the polls, and internal calls for a leadership change within the SPÖ are growing louder. On krone.at, you can read his best quotes and rate his appearance.

The first segment of the discussion focused on climate change. Babler immediately defended the climate law passed by the government. “We must combat the effects of global warming. I think it’s very important that we’ve gotten this law off the ground,” said Babler “not without a touch of pride”—and not without adding that the Greens would not have been able to pass the law.

SPÖ Leader Andreas Babler with host Simone Stribl(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

The goal is not just to combat the heat. It’s about providing drought relief on the one hand, but also about protecting tenants on the other. We must ensure that the intervals between disasters do not become shorter.

You can rate Babler’s appearance on ORF’s “Sommergespräch” here:

Health: Babler Wants to Cut Administrative Costs
The discussion then moved on to the controversial topic of health care. Babler: “We’re fighting the system of two-tier medicine. Hospital closures aren’t my approach,” said the SPÖ leader. Savings should be made in administration, “but not in patient care.”

Babler’s plan is also intended to succeed through the abolition of the Private Hospital Financing Fund. This fund should be abolished or at least restructured. This is a demand that is intended to channel more money into the public system, but it is not a new one. The Styrian SPÖ leader, Max Lercher, had raised it in December in the “Krone.”

Babler expresses “not a little pride” regarding the climate law.(Bild: Imre Antal)

Babler in Favor of “Orderly” Asylum Procedures
When it comes to migration and asylum, Babler says a “system that works” is needed. There is a need for orderly procedures and orderly repatriations that comply with human rights standards. This is also a matter of humanity. When asked about the differing opinions on the topic within his party, he described the SPÖ as a “major people’s party.”

For him, it’s clear: “If people need protection, then they will get protection. And people who have been here for years will stay here!” They have a legal status and are part of Austria. In response to criticism that he might be too soft on the issue of migration, he said: “I’m proud to be humane. Nevertheless, it is possible to reconcile humanity and order.”

If people need protection, they will get protection!

Andreas Babler

“No one is happy about the poll numbers”
Babler also addressed the SPÖ’s current dismal poll numbers as well as internal criticism directed at him personally. “To be completely honest, nobody is happy looking at the polls. It’s our shared responsibility to fight back,” said Babler. But he also had to admit “in all honesty” that he hasn’t been able to win back voters. They’re trying to implement measures and have, for example, proven that inflation can indeed be combated.

Does Babler have a breaking point at which he would resign? “I fight for this party every day. But you can’t fight alone—only together.” He also advocates for a healthy “culture of discussion and debate” within the SPÖ.

But I also have to admit, in all honesty, that I haven’t yet succeeded in winning back voters.

Andreas Babler

Babler makes it clear: “The statutory retirement age will not be raised.”
Another topic covered in the “Summer Interview” was the pension system. Babler: “If you’ve done your daily work for 45 years, you should be able to retire. The legal retirement age will not be raised—but the de facto retirement age should be raised.”

When it comes to culture, Babler says streaming platforms like Netflix should make “a contribution” in the form of fees. However, there’s still a “sticking point” on this within the government.

NEOS Representative “No Fan of Babler”
By the way: Within the three-party coalition, the SPÖ leader doesn’t seem to be very popular these days. “Babler is the wrong leader for the Social Democrats,” emphasized NEOS Representative Dominik Oberhofer in the run-up to the ORF “Summer Interview.” Under Babler, the SPÖ no longer makes policies for workers. “They’re only making policies for those who don’t want to contribute,” said the Tyrolean hotelier in a conversation with management consultant Samy El Makarem: “I’m no fan of Babler.”