“The condition of my party is even more miserable than the condition of the republic,” he said in a press conference, describing his motivation for collecting declarations of support for a direct election. However, he is not running against current party leader Andreas Babler, whom he described as a “great social democrat” – “despite all the mistakes he has made.”
In order to go into a direct election against Babler, Fußi first has to collect 14,000 signatures. Declarations of support can now be downloaded from the website www.neuerote.at. The PR consultant also made it clear that he needed support from the party. He therefore wants to win over all red state party leaders. He also informed Babler himself about his plans via a detour, reported Fußi, who, according to his own assurances, only wants to “help” the current party leader.
Video: That’s what Rudolf Fußi said at the press conference
Fussi described his frustration with the general state of his party as the driving force for his intended candidacy. On the evening of the National Council election, people were seen cheering in the party headquarters – including the SPÖ. For many people, their own advancement is more important than the state of the republic. “I want to establish that the interests of the republic must take precedence over the interests of the party and over the interests of the individual,” was his motto.
New style and sorry
“I will introduce a new style in the Social Democratic Party,” also promised Fußi, who described Bruno Kreisky as his political role model. The entrepreneur wants to “completely avoid dirty campaigning,” as he promised – “and I know how strange that sounds coming from me.” He also apologized to “all the people I have insulted or belittled in the past. And there were a relatively large number of them.”
Fußi has also already thought about the content. In the coming weeks he wants to present “plans for a red-white-red economic miracle”, “end the division of society”, “liberate hundreds of thousands of women” through all-day childcare, “eradicate” corruption and create clarity on asylum and migration. Austria has “overreached” in the latter, but it is not foreigners who are to blame, but politics.
Babler as the only legitimate coalition negotiator
Fußi also made it clear that he – like Babler – was currently not interested in talks with the FPÖ. As long as the Freedom Party incited people against each other and some people mourned National Socialism, cooperation was not desired. Fussi still sees Babler as the only legitimate coalition negotiator (“No one needs to negotiate with me yet”), but does not see any need to rush into possible talks.
ePaper
Analysis: Fußi’s Challenge for the Future of the Social Democratic Party
In a bold move, Rudolf Fußi, a well-known figure within the SPÖ, has announced his intention to challenge Andreas Babler in a direct election to lead the Social Democratic Party. Fußi’s motivation, as stated in a recent press conference, stems from his deep frustration with the current state of his party, which he describes as being “even more miserable than the condition of the republic.”
Fußi’s candidacy is not only a challenge to Babler’s leadership but also a call to action for the party to rejuvenate itself and prioritize the interests of the republic over individual and party interests. This sentiment is reflective of the broader dissatisfaction with the current state of politics in Austria, where the focus on personal advancement has often taken precedence over the betterment of society.
Fußi’s planned campaign promises a new style of politics, one that avoids “dirty campaigning” and prioritizes the well-being of the republic. He has cited Bruno Kreisky, a legendary Austrian politician, as his role model, indicating a desire to emulate Kreisky’s legacy of championing social democracy.
One of the most striking aspects of Fußi’s announcement is his willingness to confront his own past mistakes and apologize for his previous actions. He has acknowledged the harm caused by his words and actions and has expressed a genuine desire to make amends. This self-awareness and willingness to learn from his mistakes are qualities that could potentially endear him to voters.
Fußi’s policy proposals, which he plans to unveil in the coming weeks, focus on reviving the economy, ending social division, and promoting women’s rights through all-day childcare. He has also vowed to tackle corruption and provide clarity on asylum and migration policies. These proposals, although ambitious, demonstrate a clear vision for Austria’s future and a commitment to addressing some of the country’s most pressing issues.
It is worth noting that Fußi has aligned himself with Babler on the issue of cooperation with the FPÖ, stating that he, too, is not interested in talks with the Freedom Party as long as they continue to incite division and promote extremist ideologies. This stance is significant, as it suggests that Fußi is not interested in pandering to right-wing voters but rather in promoting a more inclusive and progressive agenda.
The challenge for Fußi will be to galvanize support within the party and collect the necessary 14,000 signatures to trigger a direct election. His ability to win over red state party leaders and build a coalition of support will be crucial in determining the success of his campaign.
Ultimately, Fußi’s candidacy represents a chance for the Social Democratic Party to reinvigorate itself and rediscover its purpose. His commitment to promoting the interests of the republic and his willingness to confront his own past mistakes are qualities that could potentially inspire a new generation of voters. As Austria grapples with the complexities of modern politics, Fußi’s challenge may just be the wake-up call the party needs to reclaim its place as a driving force for progressive change.
