In a way, Gerhard Zeiler has managed to initiate the replacement of Andreas Babler as SPÖ chairman. The catch: Although the successful media manager would like to take over, his chances are getting worse by the hour. Many comrades resent him for bringing himself into play through an exclusive interview with the „Krone.“ In their opinion, if anything, he should have done it through a quality newspaper. His appearance on „ZIB2“ did not serve him well either. On the contrary, he seemed too lackluster and without a concept. 

However, he harmed himself the most by demonstratively positioning himself as business-friendly. So much so that the satirical „Tagespresse“ soon after spread the rumor that he actually wanted to become the ÖVP leader. This positioning not only irritated classic leftists in the party but also powerful trade unionists: From their perspective, it is always important to be ready for compromises with business representatives. However, their starting point is employee interests. Whether this is also the case with Zeiler, they doubt more than ever.

But the man has now flown to the USA for some time anyway. Which effectively took him out of the race: On Sunday afternoon, SPÖ leaders are gathering in Vienna to decide who should succeed Babler. It is unlikely to be Zeiler, who set the whole thing in motion. The person should then strive for a fresh start for the party right here. 

It is clear to everyone that it can no longer work with Babler. He himself has probably realized this by now. However, he will not simply say goodbye through the back door. He still has plans. Namely, to influence who will take his place. His prospects of success are good.

Hans Peter Doskozil hardly has any supporters outside of Burgenland. On the other hand, the other top officials have no plan and no idea of where to lead the SPÖ. Their only formula is: Babler must go. 

By doing so, however, they are rendering Babler one last service: It should not be forgotten that he is Vice Chancellor and that the social democratic government members are mostly his people. And that it is not irrelevant for the coalition partners ÖVP and Neos who will take on the Vice Chancellor role in the future: The cooperation is most likely to continue if it is an existing red minister, such as Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer or Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, both close confidants of Babler. Through both, his course would be continued.

It would be a humiliation for many in the SPÖ, including the Viennese around Michael Ludwig, Doris Bures, and Christian Deutsch: They once helped Babler become chairman to prevent Doskozil from becoming one, but then increasingly distanced themselves from him and eventually dropped him. 

As a farewell, he could now also take revenge on them. 

Johannes Huber runs the blog – Analyses and Backgrounds on Politics

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