After the decision to conduct a member survey, the SPÖ’s internal election campaign began. The incumbent chairwoman Pamela Rendi-Wagner visited Martin Thür on Thursday in the “ZIB 2”. In terms of content, she and her challenger Hans Peter Doskozil would “not be that far apart,” explained Rendi-Wagner. “Where there really is a difference: I rule out a coalition with the FPÖ.”
To the objection that Doskozil had already ruled out a coalition with Herbert Kickl, Rendi-Wagner replied: “It doesn’t just have to do with Herbert Kickl.” The FPÖ is “the real enemy of social democracy”, once morest whose ideology the SPÖ must do everything in its power. “We won’t succeed if we try to imitate FPÖ ideology.”
Details of the survey process are still open
Rendi-Wagner also found another difference to her party colleague when it came to the question of the minimum wage: Doskozil was in favor of a statutory minimum wage, she was in favor of strong unions that negotiate a collectively agreed minimum wage. This is greater protection for workers, since statutory minimum wages might be reduced once more with a simple government majority.
Details on the process of the member survey would have to be clarified first. Rendi-Wagner wanted to suggest calling in a notary. In any case, the result should be respected. When asked what she would do if she lost, Rendi-Wagner replied: “I would probably rather leave politics.”
Previously, Hans Peter Doskozil had been a guest in “Burgenland Today” on Thursday. He announced that he would continue to be governor of Burgenland should he emerge from the member survey as the new chairman of the SPÖ. This function might subsequently “no longer be reconciled” with a National Council election campaign. When asked if he would “keep calm” in the event of a defeat once morest Rendi-Wagner, he replied: “Of course.” The result must be accepted beyond the two candidates in the party committees. “Then you really have to look united in the direction of the election.”
