How to get rid of Walter Ruck, in ten days?

Vienna's Chamber of Commerce President Walter Ruck is embroiled in a political scandal following alleged remarks made at a private gathering. Ruck is accused of discussing open job trading, sexism towards party colleagues, nepotism, and close ties to Mayor Michael Ludwig.

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I have not yet done the campaign makers the favor of enhancing their transparent maneuvers with statements from my side.

Despite the gravity of the accusations, Ruck's party has struggled to fully remove him. While he was expelled from the ÖVP party late Friday, party statutes permit him to retain his roles as head of the Vienna Business Association and President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce. Ruck stated his intention to continue working for Vienna's economic location with "full heart and soul."

Ruck maintains his innocence, viewing himself as a victim of a political scheme. He has remained largely silent for a week but stated on Friday that he has not given the "campaign makers" the satisfaction of responding to their "transparent maneuvers." He asserted, "There is not a single, legally relevant accusation."

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There is not a single, legally relevant accusation.

The situation is unusual for the People's Party (ÖVP), as no one has previously held the top position in a regional chamber of commerce without being an ÖVP member, even in Vienna. The party statutes require the respective sub-organization to decide on a member's continued affiliation, and Ruck's removal or ousting from these bodies is reportedly not in sight. Markus Figl, the head of the Vienna party, clarified that Ruck is no longer part of the provincial party executive or presidium, making his presence in party committees "absurd."

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Someone who is not a member is also not part of any committees of the Vienna People's Party.