Dornauer's successor:

“Wasn’t part of my life plan”

Rescuer in times of need: ÖGB leader Philip Wohlgemuth (left) succeeds Georg Dornauer as party leader and deputy governor.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof/SPÖ)

The Tyrolean ÖGB chairman Philip Wohlgemuth is now to pull the coals out of the fire for the regional SPÖ and unite the party after the Dornauer disaster. Late on Wednesday evening, the provincial party executive of the Red Party unanimously expressed its confidence in him. In the "Krone" interview, he explains how he intends to tackle the task. 

Following the resignation of Georg Dornauer, the Tyrolean SPÖ's provincial party executive made some personnel decisions on Wednesday evening. ÖGB leader Philip Wohlgemuth was unanimously appointed as executive chairman from December 19 and has already been designated in this role. He was also proposed to the provincial party council on Monday as the next first deputy governor by 100 percent.

Transport Councillor René Zumtobel, Wohlgemuth and Social Affairs Councillor Eva Pawlata at the meeting of the provincial party board.

(Bild: SPÖ)

"Only positive things heard"
The party nomination for the government office, in which Wohlgemuth will also succeed Dornauer on December 19, will then take place in the committee. Wohlgemuth was pleased to report that he had "only heard positive things" at the meeting at the party headquarters in Innsbruck, which lasted more than two hours.

The 37-year-old announced that the provincial party conference at which he will finally be elected as the new head of the Tyrolean SPÖ will take place next spring. This will be an ordinary party conference. He had spoken out against an early "extraordinary" one for "efficiency and cost reasons".

"Anything but satisfied"
Of course, the events of the past few days were also discussed in the leadership committee, according to the new strong man of the Tyrolean Social Democrats. Of course, they were "anything but satisfied" and asked the Tyrolean population and party members "for forgiveness". Now they must look to the future, "become stronger" and be united. There will be no personnel changes in the Tyrolean SPÖ government or in the provincial party.

„Krone“-Interview

„War in Lebensplanung nicht vorgesehen“

"Krone": Is the stability of the coalition guaranteed or will new elections be necessary?
Philip Wohlgemuth: We do not have a government crisis. I have assured, promised and guaranteed LH Anton Mattle that we as social democrats will ensure stability and continuity. We want to continue to work through the jointly negotiated government program. That is what I stand for. I have a binding manner, which unites me with the Governor.

However, the SPÖ club was expecting Dornauer to withdraw and not to barge into the club. How do you intend to solve this problem?
Dornauer has informed us that he would like to remain in parliament until his career changes. That is to be accepted, he has the right to accept the basic mandate. In this respect, there is little we can do, even if it doesn't look the best.

It would not have been in my life plan to move to the state government. But now it is what it is, and I am looking forward to this task.

Tirols ÖGB-Vorsitzender Wohlgemuth

Bild: Birbaumer Christof

The vote of no confidence in the state parliament is also a factor of uncertainty.
We have agreed in the club and with the coalition partner that we will not agree to this. We have also agreed that Dornauer will continue to lead his department until the state budget day. This will also make it easier for me to hand over my house, the ÖGB, in an orderly fashion. So I won't be gone overnight.

How difficult was it to give up your job as head of the ÖGB?
To be completely honest, it was anything but easy for me. I am a trade unionist with heart and soul, and we have now had very successful years with 70,000 members. My life plan would never have included joining the state government. But now it is what it is, and I am also looking forward to this task.

Have you already received congratulations from the federal party chairman?
There have been hundreds of calls and messages in total. I have already spoken to Andreas Babler and signaled that I am looking forward to working with him and he has done the same.