Austrian Chamber President Urges Vienna Chief Ruck to Resign Amid Scandal
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Austrian Chamber of Commerce President Martha Schultz criticized Vienna Chamber President Walter Ruck over his statements, which she said do not align with their values.
- Schultz expects Ruck to take appropriate steps to prevent further damage to the chamber, following media reports of his controversial remarks.
- Chancellor Christian Stocker also called for clarification, stating Ruck's alleged comments contradict the party's views on women and politics.
Austrian Chamber of Commerce President Martha Schultz has sharply criticized Vienna Chamber President Walter Ruck, stating his remarks "in no way correspond to our worldview or our culture of how decisions are made." Schultz expressed her belief that Ruck will take the "right steps" to avert further damage to the chamber.
His statements in no way correspond to our worldview or our culture of how decisions are made.
Schultz's comments come after media reports surfaced detailing Ruck's alleged statements. His deputy, Margarete Kriz-Zwittkovits, had initially supported him. However, leaked conversation protocols suggest Ruck claimed to have "ordered" Kriz-Zwittkovits not to run in the Vienna elections so his son could secure a favorable spot on the ÖVP list. Kriz-Zwittkovits denies this account, stating her decision not to run as a top candidate was her own and that no such conversation with Ruck occurred.
I am convinced that Walter Ruck has become aware of the gravity of his statements and wants to prevent further damage to the Chamber of Commerce. I assume that he will take the right steps.
Chancellor Christian Stocker echoed Schultz's concerns, calling the reported statements "deeply irritating" and contrary to the People's Party's image of women and political understanding. He emphasized that all allegations must be thoroughly investigated. The controversy highlights internal tensions within the Chamber of Commerce during a period of reform aimed at rebuilding trust.
The statements reported in the media are deeply irritating and contradict the People's Party's image of women and political understanding.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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