"Alternative to Kickl"

Babler gets the SPÖ in the mood for election campaigns

SPÖ leader Andreas Babler has committed his party to the election year.

(Bild: APA/ROBERT JAEGER)

At the start of the Social Democratic Party's club conference in Vösendorf, SPÖ leader Andreas Babler put his party in the mood for the election year. As always, he warned that the ÖVP would make FP chairman Herbert Kickl Federal Chancellor without hesitation. The only ones who could prevent this were the Social Democrats. They are also the ones who have a plan against inflation.

As usual, the members of the National Council, the Federal Council and the European Parliament were not the only ones to come together for the two-day club meeting, the first day of which was open to the media. The Red parliamentary group leaders from the regional parliamentary clubs also travelled to Vösendorf, including Roland Fürst from Burgenland, whose regional organization is known to be critical of the party leadership.

"Put your finger where it hurts"
Philip Kucher, the executive chairman of the party, emphasized that everyday life should be the focus of the two days. The SPÖ wants to ensure that there is a good life for everyone instead of conservative policies that only serve the interests of capital. The banks had been able to increase their record profits once again in the previous year, while pensioners were hardly getting any interest on their savings and house builders could no longer afford the interest on their loans, he pointed out by way of example.

SPÖ leader Andreas Babler and EU top candidate Andreas Schieder

(Bild: APA/Robert Jäger)

Club leader Babler also saw his party as a victim of "certain campaigns" by self-appointed political experts. This was good proof that "we put our fingers where it hurts". The SPÖ had taken the lead on important issues. Babler listed everything from rent caps to gas and electricity price brakes to a specialist doctor appointment guarantee. In any case, his party is the only one that has a concrete plan on how to get inflation under control again.

Babler warns against a "Europe of isolation"
The EU election campaign was not left out completely. Babler fears a Europe of isolation and rolling attacks on human rights and a Europe where profit interests take center stage. So there is a lot at stake on June 9. He is fighting for a Europe where large corporations finally pay their taxes: "No more tax swamps for millionaires."

After all, Babler believes that the SPÖ is back on track under his leadership: "We are back, we are noticeable." While the ÖVP would not hesitate to make Kickl chancellor, the Social Democrats are the only party that can prevent this. This apparently also applies to Europe. As the SPÖ leader emphasized, they would prevent social rights from being undermined at European level.