The SPÖ party leader, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, has released a video appealing to members to support the chosen process of a member survey and party conference, in order to end the debates “crippling us as a movement.” Rendi-Wagner emphasised the need for quick decisions to be made, so that urgent solutions and issues for Austria can be prioritised. She acknowledged the leadership dispute is difficult for those close to social democracy, but defended the SPÖ as a party of confidence that will overcome the situation. More than 30 applicants have reportedly applied for the SPÖ leadership post, with the official number to be announced. Andreas Babler and Nicholas Kowall have withdrawn their candidacies, prompting some confusion. The deadline for candidates ended on Friday night.
SPÖ party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner
© APA/EVA MANHART
The SPÖ party leader sends “a heartfelt friendship”. The member survey is the way out of the paralysis. Andreas Babler also published a video on Facebook.
In the leadership dispute of the SPÖ, the incumbent has now Pamela Rendi-Wagner addressed to the members in a video. In it she advertises – accompanied by supporting piano music – for the chosen procedure Member survey and party conferenceso that “debates regarding ourselves that are crippling us as a movement” can finally end.
The video can also be viewed on Rendi-Wagner’s Facebook page:
As party leader, it is important to her to make “these necessary decisions” quickly, “so that the urgent solutions and issues that we have for our country are in the foreground once more.” The most recent resolutions ensure that there is a “democratically legitimate decision”.
Rendi-Wagner: Not an easy situation
In the almost one and a half minute video, which shows Rendi-Wagner outdoors with a rather serious expression, the party leader did not call the current situation easy for people close to social democracy. But she also knows that this situation will be overcome. The SPÖ is a party of confidence, which is why they see the coming weeks as an opportunity, says Rendi-Wagner, who ends the video with a “heartfelt” friendship and happiness.
The short film is available on youtube, Instagram and Facebook.
More than 30 candidacies
Sea Small newspaper there should be more than 30 applicants for the SPÖ leadership post. According to the newspaper, the candidatures are currently being examined at the SPÖ headquarters in Vienna’s Löwelstraße. The official number of applicants is said to be announced in the followingnoon.
Babeler in the race for party leadership
Most recently, the mayor of Traiskirchen Andreas Babler announced his appointment, whereupon the Vienna district functionary Nicholas Kowall withdrew his candidacy.
Babeler also spoke up in a video on Facebook:
Babler wants to give the movement pride and dignity back, as he says – also outdoors with a rather serious expression and impressive background music: “It’s an opportunity to build up social democracy,” the mayor is campaigning for support and unity.
Ludwig on candidacies: “A bit confusing”
“In fact, it has now become a bit confusing,” said the mayor Michael Ludwigim Standard in relation to the many candidatures that have been received.
In the ORF broadcast Vienna today despite the new candidates, the mayor stands behind incumbent Pamela Rendi-Wagner: “The broad field doesn’t make me fickle.”
Deadline ended Friday night
The deadline for potential candidates ended last night. You had to be a member of the SPÖ by Friday at 11:59 p.m. in order to be able to vote. The party only wants to reveal how many new applications there are following a board meeting on Monday, at which the procedural guidelines drawn up by the Bureau on Wednesday are also to be voted on.
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In conclusion, the SPÖ leadership dispute continues to escalate with more than 30 candidacies being examined at the party headquarters. However, party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner remains committed to finding a way out of the paralysis. In her video message, she appeals for unity and support for the member survey and party conference, which will bring democratic legitimacy to the decision-making process. It remains to be seen how the SPÖ will navigate through this crucial period, but the coming weeks will undoubtedly prove to be a test of the party’s resilience and political acumen.