This article was updated at 12:27 p.m.
His successor in the country and party is to be Tyrol’s ÖGB boss Philip Wohlgemuth. The “handover” should take place on December 18th, with the budget state parliament. Dornauer also wants to present this budget. The timetable for the designation or election of Wohlgemuth had not yet been determined. Dornauer did not explicitly say in the press conference that he would also resign as state party leader, but when asked, the party confirmed that this would be the case.
Dornauer wants to stay in the state parliament, pointing out his direct mandate with significant voter support. But resistance to this is apparently forming in the SPÖ club, as the “Tiroler Tageszeitung” reported online. State parliament vice-president Elisabeth Blanik saw the move to the bench as a “denial of reality,” and state parliament member Benedikt Lentsch made it clear: “The move from the state government to the state parliament is not possible.”
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Causa Jagdfoto: Pressure from the SPÖ increases, Dornauer continues to fight
The current deputy state governor made it clear in the statement, after which no questions were permitted, that he saw “no reason to resign”. “But many people in the party see it differently. As a dyed-in-the-wool Social Democrat, I accept a majority mood,” said Dornauer, who did not want to leave until late Tuesday evening, visibly moved.
Regarding the “Causa Prima” Dornauer stated that – “despite all the crooked optics and understandable lack of understanding” – he “did not break any law” and that “no damage” was caused. “I didn’t accept an invitation, I just accompanied a friend (a hotelier, note). The fact that Benko was there doesn’t mean in any way that I approve of or even support his business practices.”
Unanimous call for resignation
Recently, the pressure on the 41-year-old had increased steadily. After the Innsbruck city party – which finally unanimously called on Dornauer to resign through the district committee in the evening – more and more Social Democratic party grandees from the states right up to the federal leadership around federal party chairman Andreas Babler spoke out. Almost word for word, they told Dornauer that he “will know what he has to do.”
Regarding Wohlgemuth’s likely successor, Dornauer said that he was “a long-standing comrade-in-arms for social democratic ideas”: “With him, the big tasks are in the very best hands.”
In addition, the outgoing red boss thanked his coalition partner, Governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP): “In the last two years we have proven what it means to lead a state government in a calm, solid manner – in the interests of Tyrol and the Tyroleans. Calm and without argument.”
“Red line crossed”
Mattle (ÖVP) had called on the SPÖ in recent days to take a “clear position” on the matter. In any case, he spoke of “inappropriate escapades and stupidities” regarding Dornauer’s behavior, but there was no call for his resignation or any pressure to do so. However, if the weapons ban imposed on Dornauer were actually violated, a “red line” would be crossed, it was said.
After Dornauer’s statement, the state chief’s office announced that Mattle had accepted his resignation as deputy state governor on Tuesday evening. The governor is concerned with “stability for Tyrol and a government that works for the people.” The regional executive committee of the Tyrolean People’s Party meets early on Wednesday afternoon. Mattle will then issue a statement.
“It’s not my hat”
The starting point of the case was a photo from a hunting trip in Styria in September on the front page of the Monday edition of the “Kronen Zeitung”. Dornauer protested that he had not fired and that the hat he was wearing, which identified him as the shooter because of the “breach of loot”, was not his. “It’s not my hat,” he said. The hotelier friend confirmed that he had shot himself and that the report of the shooting would prove it. The hunting director in the area also testified to this. In the meantime, Dornauer also submitted the documents and explanations he requested. The hunting trip took place at the Stüblergut luxury hunt in Styria, which belongs to a private foundation owned by Benko.
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The incident that has generated significant controversy involves Georg Dornauer, the deputy governor of Tyrol from the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ). The issue became public after a photograph emerged from a hunting trip in September, which featured Dornauer wearing a hunting hat that led to accusations regarding his involvement in a controversial hunt. The photo appeared in the “Kronen Zeitung” and sparked public outcry, raising questions about ethics and responsibilities of political figures.
Dornauer defended himself by stating that he did not fire any shots during the hunting trip and that the hat, which apparently identified him as a shooter due to the “breach of loot,” was not his. He mentioned that he was accompanying a friend, specifically a hotelier, and emphasized that the presence of the Signa founder René Benko at the hunt should not be interpreted as an endorsement of his business practices. Despite this explanation, pressure escalated from within his party, with many prominent Social Democrats urging him to resign.
This situation reflects the internal divisions within the SPÖ as well as the broader political context in Austria, where party loyalty and public perception play crucial roles in political survival. While Dornauer asserted his compliance with the law and expressed regret regarding the public’s reaction to the incident, the rising demand for his resignation highlighted the potential repercussions of his actions.
As the situation unfolded, Governor Anton Mattle of the ÖVP urged his coalition partner, the SPÖ, to clarify its stance on Dornauer’s actions. Mattle described Dornauer’s behavior as inappropriate but stopped short of directly calling for his resignation. The pressure culminated in Dornauer’s announcement that he would resign as deputy state governor, as the governor sought to maintain stability within the Tyrolean government.
The incident underscores the delicate balance politicians must maintain between personal conduct, public accountability, and party expectations. It remains to be seen how this affair will affect the SPÖ’s dynamics moving forward and who will succeed Dornauer in his role.
