The Austrian Social Democratic Party has a new chairman. At the party congress in Linz, the majority of delegates voted for Hans Peter Doskozil. The election was preceded by months of internal party discussions.
The future leader of the Austrian Social Democrats will be 52-year-old Hans Peter Doskozil. The former defense minister and Burgenland governor received around 53 percent of the votes of the approximately 600 delegates at the extraordinary SPÖ federal party conference in Linz.
In addition to Doskozil, the mayor of Traiskirchen, Andreas Babler, had also applied for party leadership. The representative of the left wing of the SPÖ received 47 percent of the vote. Party member Berthold Felber also stood for election at short notice.
Doskozil rules out coalition with FPÖ
“It’s a lifelong dream to be able to lead the Social Democrats – a party that will be the ultimate for the next elections,” said Doskozil after his victory. He wants to make the SPÖ the strongest force. In addition, there will be no coalition with the right-wing populist FPÖ if the election is won.
“We have to start making better migration policies,” said the Social Democrat. You need free voters, you have to get them back. Because only then will the second step succeed: “No coalition with the ÖVP.” His goal is to become so strong that it is enough for a three-party coalition with the Greens and the economically liberal NEOS.
Ban on party donations in Burgenland
Doskozil demonstratively announced a law banning party donations in Burgenland. Party donations – not least to the ruling conservative ÖVP – repeatedly play an important role in the domestic political debate in Austria.
Doskozil’s voice, which sounds hoarse after several larynx operations, repeatedly leads to debates as to whether he is well prepared for a top political office. He assured delegates that his health problem will not prevent him from leading the party. “The voice will not be lost,” even if he cannot rule out further operations.
Babler promotes unity
The defeated Babler campaigned for unity at the party congress. He announced an “incredible comeback” by the SPÖ. The party must fight side by side with the trade unions, among other things, for better wages, said Babler. The role of a supplicant must be overcome. The local politician had previously called for a 32-hour week with full wage compensation.
The remarkable 47 percent of the votes for the extreme left camp represented by Babler also raise questions about the unity of the party. “Doskozil must immediately avert the danger of part of the left wing emigrating,” said political advisor Thomas Hofer.
Discussion about Rendi-Wagners leadership qualities
In the medium term, the politician, who is also recognized in other electoral groups, has the chance to win back votes from the ÖVP and FPÖ camp – also thanks to his populist nature .
The party congress should be the end of a long internal party discussion about the leadership qualities of the previous chairwoman Pamela Rendi-Wagner. The SPÖ comes to about 23 percent in the current polls. According to pollsters, the right-wing FPÖ is ahead with around 28 percent, while experts see the conservative party ÖVP, which governs together with the Greens, at around 21 percent. The regular date for the next National Council election is autumn 2024.