No more support

Decision final: Linz mayor Luger is leaving

The influential SPÖ politician Klaus Luger stumbled over an affair at the Brucknerhaus in Linz.

(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

In the SPÖ, things are now happening one after the other, the red days of fate are reaching their finale: after resigning as chairman of the SPÖ in Linz, Klaus Luger (63) is also resigning as mayor on Friday. The decision was made on Thursday evening, the "Krone" was informed.

The pressure on the Linz city leader has been increasing over the past few hours: not only have political rivals from the ÖVP, FPÖ and Greens openly called for his resignation, but voices within the party have also been getting louder and louder for him to step down as mayor.

Initially a vote of confidence
Initially, things had looked different: After the Linz party executive unanimously expressed its confidence in him on Wednesday, Luger initially felt vindicated. He told the "Krone" newspaper: "In any case, I want to remain mayor now. I am still in office until 2027 thanks to the direct election. It is a really difficult time for me, but I have no intention of stepping down now."

The influential SPÖ politician Klaus Luger stumbled over an affair at the Brucknerhaus in Linz.

(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

One day later, on Thursday, however, he began his withdrawal in installments: First he resigned from his offices in the SPÖ - specifically, Luger was chairman of the SPÖ Linz - and on Friday he will take the final step. 

Information to party friends, then press conference
The plan is for Luger to declare to his comrades at the Linz SPÖ retreat in Langenlois, Lower Austria, in the morning: "I'm not going any further." According to reports, a press conference is planned for midday in Linz, at which Luger will also explain his decision to the public and make a statement. 

The Linz SPÖ met at the Loisianum in Langenlois (Lower Austria) and made the far-reaching decision.

(Bild: Antal Imre)

The straw that broke the camel's back
Early on Friday morning, the "Krone" learned from Klaus Luger's entourage why he ultimately decided to resign: On Thursday afternoon, the mayor left the retreat in Langenlois for a few hours because he had appointments to attend in Linz. Before he left, his comrades supported him and agreed that he should retain his position as head of the town.

When he returned to Lower Austria hours later, the situation was suddenly completely different, according to party circles. Luger must have had the feeling that his Linz city party was no longer united behind him after all - which was ultimately the reason for his decision to resign.

What happens now in Linz City Hall?
One thing is certain: Following this final decision, it will be necessary to elect a new mayor. This means that the citizens of Linz will be asked to go to the polls in the coming weeks. Luger's deputies will take over for the time being.

"Luger's resignation makes a new start possible in Linz"
There has been an initial reaction to the announced resignation of the Mayor of Linz from the Upper Austrian SPÖ. Party leader Michael Lindner told the "Krone" newspaper on Friday morning: "Credibility and honesty are important in politics in order to gain people's trust. Mayor Klaus Luger's mistake is serious. Neither his public apology, nor his efforts to clear up the matter, nor his resignation from his offices in the SPÖ have been enough to win back the public's trust. With his resignation as mayor, Klaus Luger is drawing the consequences and making a new start possible in the city and in the SPÖ Linz. I pay him respect and recognition for this step."

It would be unfair to reduce him and the work of the SPÖ in and for Linz solely to his admitted misconduct. He deserves our recognition for his commitment to a Linz worth living in and for the step he has taken today.

SPOÖ-Vorsitzender Michael Lindner

Bild: © Harald Dostal / 2024

Klaus Luger has helped shape the positive development of the city of Linz over many years, says the regional party chairman: "Linz has developed from an industrial, educational and cultural city into a city of innovation and digitalization. Large and important projects in the areas of housing, transport and sport as well as many of the city's social services also bear the signature of Klaus Luger," says Lindner.

He added: "It would be unfair to reduce him and the work of the SPÖ in and for Linz solely to his admitted misconduct. He deserves our recognition for his commitment to a Linz worth living in and for the step he has taken today."