"Undignified" attack

Former ÖVP MP saws at Nehammer’s chair

After the Styrian governor criticized the fact that Nehammer was tasked with forming the government, a former member of parliament has now followed suit.

(Bild: APA/HANS KLAUS TECHT)

While Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) is negotiating a new government, criticism of him is being voiced - from within his own party. Former member of the National Council Martin Engelberg is now complaining retrospectively about the decision to go into the election with Nehammer at the helm. The Chancellor's party did not take this lying down for long.

"I had the feeling that we wouldn't win the election with him. And that was actually confirmed," he said in the talk show "Pro und Contra" on PULS 24. He would have preferred "to appear with a different leadership".

Kurz confidant rails against Kurz successor
Engelberg, who had previously run for the board of the Jewish Community with his own list, had been brought into politics by Nehammer's predecessor Sebastian Kurz. In the National Council elections on September 29, he ran on an unpromising list position.

Engelberg, who was brought into politics by Sebastian Kurz, would have liked to have seen a different top candidate in the ÖVP.

(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

In the interview, he emphasized his "recognition and appreciation" for Nehammer, but indirectly blamed him for the fact that the ÖVP had only emerged as the second strongest party in the election.

"In any case, I would have preferred the ÖVP to have positioned itself differently in terms of both content and personnel and taken the opportunity to come first again and thus have a completely different opportunity to shape the future," emphasized Engelberg in the talk show, which will be broadcast on PULS 24 on Wednesday evening (10 pm).

Others eliminated "with more dignity"
The counter-attack was not long in coming: "Even if the disappointment about his personal performance is understandable, this should not be a reason for Martin Engelberg to question others, but rather to practice self-reflection. Karl Nehammer took over the People's Party at the federal party conference with poll results of 21 percent. It is thanks to him that we achieved 26.3 percent on election day and that 1.3 million voters placed their trust in the People's Party. For many, Karl Nehammer was the main reason for their vote. The fact that it was unfortunately not enough for first place is not due to the top candidate," explained ÖVP General Secretary Christian Stocker on Wednesday evening. "One thing is certain: Others have borne their departure from parliament with more dignity."