Leaves questions unanswered

Zeiler to the SPÖ: “I won’t let them stop me”

Media executive Gerhard Zeiler (71) isn’t giving up: Although he plays no role in the federal SPÖ’s latest personnel plans, he still intends to convince his party colleagues of his plans and ideas.(Bild: Eva Manhart)

Just one day after releasing hiscampaign video on Tuesday, media executive Gerhard Zeiler (71) is making headlines again with a new video. In it, he comments for the first time on the announced leadership shake-up within the federal SPÖ. Are his statements perhaps a (new) declaration of war against Löwelstraße?

He says his recent announcement of his intention to take over the SPÖ chairmanship was meant to “initiate a process of renewal for the SPÖ, because the course taken so far has led Austria and social democracy in the wrong direction.”

Zeiler wishes Marterbauer good luck, but....
According to him, the party leadership took this into account on Sunday with its decision to appoint Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer. “First, I wish him a speedy recovery, because health is the most important thing in life, and second, I wish him good luck if he takes over the SPÖ,” Zeiler said on his Instagram account (see video below).

Media executive Gerhard Zeiler (71) is drawing attention to himself with a new video:

But at the same time, he addressed the SPÖ federal party: “I will not hesitate to consistently point out the necessary solutions that Austria and the SPÖ need so that we don’t crash into a wall, so that Austria remains a successful, social, and just country in the future as well.”

I will not hesitate to consistently point out the necessary solutions that Austria and the SPÖ need.

Medienmanager Gerhard Zeiler (71)

A showdown between Zeiler and Marterbauer?
That requires courage and new ideas. “And you’ll be hearing these new ideas from me in the coming weeks and months.” He did not reveal in the video whether he intends to continue pursuing his ambitions to take over the party leadership. But it is still quite possible that the 71-year-old will face off against Marterbauer in a contested vote at the national party convention in the spring of 2027.

Zeiler already released a campaign video on Tuesday:

Marterbauer and Zeiler Are Not on the Same Political Wavelength
Zeiler and Marterbauer are not on the same ideological wavelength. Recently, the media executive even accused the finance minister of lacking economic expertise. “The SPÖ is the party with the greatest economic expertise,” Marterbauer countered.

The finance minister also took a hard line on “ZiB 2” last Friday regarding the chairmanship debate instigated by Zeiler. “He’s hurting the SPÖ with this. I don’t know why he’s pushing for a change now, and I don’t understand the substance of his argument either,” said Marterbauer.

Quo vadis, SPÖ?

• A gradual withdrawal. SPÖ leader and Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler announced a gradual withdrawal on Sunday following a meeting with the SPÖ’s state leaders.
• Three people at the party’s helm for now. Until the end of the year, Babler will lead the party together with Minister for Women’s Affairs Eva-Maria Holzleitner and parliamentary group leader Philip Kucher.
• Handover. In early 2027, current Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer—who is currently undergoing cancer treatment—is set to take over as Vice Chancellor. As a next step, he is then expected to assume the party chairmanship. This will require a party convention, which is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2027.  
• Gerhard Zeiler. The 71-year-old media executive announced in late September that he intended to become the SPÖ’s federal party leader. This announcement triggered a fierce internal power struggle within the party, which culminated in Babler’s partial withdrawal. Zeiler does not feature in the Reds’ new personnel plans. However, the media executive has no intention of stepping back. He recently launched an Instagram account, where he explained his political ambitions in several videos.

For the SPÖ, “the Zeiler chapter is over”
In late September, Zeiler announced in an interview with the “Krone” that he intended to run for the SPÖ party chairmanship to replace Andreas Babler. This triggered a fierce internal power struggle and a debate over the party’s bylaws within the SPÖ. Zeiler does not appear in the Reds’ new personnel plans. Federal Executive Director Klaus Seltenheim stated on Sunday that the “Gerhard Zeiler chapter is thus over.” Carinthia’s Governor Daniel Fellner revealed that Zeiler had been only a “side issue” at Sunday’s crisis summit.

However, his new Instagram account—which is peppered with political video messages—suggests between the lines that Zeiler does not intend to allow himself to be relegated to a “side issue” for the SPÖ...