Both the state and federal SPÖ have so far remained tight-lipped about the Luger case. Stefan Kaineder, head of the state Green Party, has harshly criticized this silence: “It is time for the SPÖ to take responsibility.” The mayor has “served up untruths for months and caused millions in damage,” and there must now be “clear consequences.”
The fact that Luger himself shows no insight is “hard to believe,” said Kaineder. He therefore sees the party as responsible: “After months of cover-ups, the credibility of the entire SPÖ is now at stake.” State party leader Michael Lindner and SPÖ leader Andreas Babler must “make it clear to the mayor that he has lost all trust and must take responsibility for his massive misconduct.”
Stelzer: “Restore reputation and standing”
Governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP) only commented on the Brucknerhaus: “The Brucknerhaus has enjoyed an excellent reputation far beyond the state’s borders, we are ready to help restore the reputation and prestige of the house – and thus of the cultural city of Linz.”
“We should leave the church in the village”
“We should keep things in perspective: Mayor Klaus Luger wanted the best for Linz, which led him to take an action that he deeply regrets. It is clear that the opposition parties in Linz want to exploit this to the full, but the fuss about it is exaggerated. Mayor Luger has accepted responsibility and is not ducking away, but is facing a detailed discussion about it in the party committees today. He has also announced that he wants to ask for a vote of confidence. We will then make a further statement on the matter,” said SPÖ Upper Austria regional manager Florian Koppler on Wednesday.
