SPÖ leadership battle intensifies between Babler and Zeiler

The Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) is facing an intense leadership struggle between current chairman Andreas Babler and media manager Gerhard Zeiler, who has announced his intention to run for the position. The conflict has prompted calls for clarity regarding party statutes and the potential for a direct member vote or an extraordinary party convention.

In response to pressure from regional leaders in Carinthia and Styria, Babler has scheduled a meeting in Vienna for Sunday, October 4, to meet with state party chairpersons. The meeting aims to address the leadership question and clarify procedural rules. Amidst declining poll numbers, former federal secretary Christian Deutsch has publicly called for Babler to resign to allow for a new leadership direction.

Amidst the political tension, the two rivals shared a brief, symbolic handshake during the premiere of the film ‘Bruno – Der junge Kreisky’ in Vienna. The film, which depicts the youth of the influential 20th-century politician Bruno Kreisky, served as the backdrop for their first public encounter since Zeiler’s candidacy announcement.