“I had the feeling that we wouldn’t win the election with him. And that was actually confirmed,” he said in the talk show “Pro und Contra” on PULS 24. He would have preferred “to appear with a different leadership “.
“Recognition and appreciation”
Engelberg, who had already run for the board of the Jewish Community with his own list, was brought into politics by Nehammer‘s predecessor Sebastian Kurz. In the National Council election on September 29th, he ran in a hopeless place on the list. In the interview, he emphasized his “recognition and appreciation” for Nehammer, but indirectly made him responsible for the fact that the ÖVP only emerged as the second strongest party in the election.
“In any case, I would have preferred that the ÖVP had positioned itself differently, both in terms of content and personnel, and taken the chance to come first again and thus have a completely different design opportunity,” emphasized Engelberg in the discussion that took place on Wednesday evening (10 p.m.). ) is broadcast on PULS 24.
“Should practice self-reflection”
“Even if the disappointment over his personal performance is understandable, this should not be a reason for Martin Engelberg to question others, but rather to practice self-reflection,” countered ÖVP General Secretary Christian Stocker in a broadcast. Nehammer took over the party with poor poll numbers and is not to blame for the fall back to second place. “One thing is certain: Others accepted their departure from parliament with more dignity,” said Stocker Engelberg.
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**Interview with Martin Engelberg on the Recent ÖVP Election Results**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Martin Engelberg. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent National Council election and your perspectives on the ÖVP’s performance.
**Engelberg:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:** In your recent appearance on “Pro und Contra” on PULS 24, you mentioned that you felt the ÖVP would not win the election under chancellor Karl Nehammer. Could you elaborate on that feeling?
**Engelberg:** Absolutely. I had a clear sense that our party was not in a strong position to succeed in this election with the current leadership. That concern was unfortunately validated by the results we saw. I genuinely believe we needed a different approach and perhaps a different leader to take the ÖVP back to the forefront.
**Interviewer:** You acknowledged your “recognition and appreciation” for Nehammer. How do you reconcile that with your criticism of his leadership, especially given that you were placed in a challenging position on the electoral list?
**Engelberg:** It’s crucial to recognize the hard work and dedication that Nehammer has put into his role. My appreciation does not negate my view that strategically, the party needed to reposition itself both in terms of policies and leadership choices. We missed an opportunity to come first and shape the political landscape differently.
**Interviewer:** ÖVP General Secretary Christian Stocker responded to your comments by emphasizing the need for self-reflection rather than questioning others. How do you respond to that?
**Engelberg:** I believe constructive criticism is essential for growth. Self-reflection is indeed important, but it shouldn’t be one-sided. The party must evaluate its direction under Nehammer and what led to the current situation. Open dialogue about leadership and strategy is necessary for future success.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what changes do you believe the ÖVP needs to implement to improve its standing in future elections?
**Engelberg:** We need to take a close look at our policies and how we communicate with the electorate. Engaging more with the grassroots and understanding their concerns is key. Additionally, a fresh perspective in leadership could reinvigorate our party and push us to reclaim our leading position.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Martin. It’s clear there are significant discussions to be had within the ÖVP as you move forward.
**Engelberg:** Thank you for the opportunity. It’s vital that we all engage in these conversations to shape a better future for the party.
