Federal SP leader Andres Babler remained silent for two days, but on Thursday he spoke out for the first time in the LIVA affair surrounding Linz Mayor Klaus Luger.
“I call on Klaus Luger to resign from his position as party chairman of the SPÖ Linz with immediate effect. Otherwise, I will initiate arbitration proceedings on this issue. His behavior is inexcusable,” says Babler.
He stood for a new social democracy, and as federal party chairman he is demanding “clear consequences”: “In a social democracy under my leadership, such behavior has no place.”
Babler is not calling for Luger’s resignation as mayor; the question of Luger’s resignation as mayor is a matter for the municipal council.
State Councillor Lindner wants Luger to remain mayor
State Councillor Michael Lindner also broke his silence on Thursday – his statement came just minutes after Babler’s. Klaus Luger’s behaviour had undoubtedly seriously damaged his own credibility, but also that of the Social Democrats as a whole. He had thereby done the party a disservice, especially now at the start of the National Council election campaign.
“It was important and right that Klaus Luger apologized clearly and decided to suspend the LIVA supervisory board in order to fully clarify the matter,” says Lindner.
In the coming weeks and months, the SPÖ Linz will need to take further steps to clarify the situation for the future. From a party political perspective, it is understandable that calls for resignation are being made. “Nevertheless, I think it is right that Klaus Luger, as mayor, is overseeing this matter and helping to clarify it,” said Lindner.
