SPÖ retreat avoids public leadership debate

Austria's Social Democratic Party, or SPÖ, kept a public leadership fight off the agenda at its presidium retreat in Mauerbach. The only party representative to face the media was Federal Managing Director Klaus Seltenheim.

Seltenheim pointed to Andreas Babler's confirmation as party chairman at a party congress in March and dismissed rumors that plans were under way to remove him. He acknowledged, however, that the SPÖ could not be satisfied with its current polling and said the party naturally wanted to be stronger.

The retreat had been planned for some time and included discussions about the government's work for the autumn. It was due to continue until Sunday noon, with no media briefing planned.

The latest APA election trend puts the SPÖ at 15%, described as a historic low. Carinthian Governor Daniel Fellner had reacted with alarm and labeled his own party a "minor party." In an interview with Kurier, he took a more cautious tone on the leadership question, saying: "Replacing number one will not be enough. We have tried that several times in recent years, only to find afterward that it was not the sole solution."

Media reports have suggested that media executive Gerhard Zeiler could be willing to take over the party if asked. Fellner confirmed that he had met Zeiler for dinner before the summer, saying Zeiler had wanted to get to know him. Fellner said he did not recall Babler being the focus of that conversation.

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Replacing number one will not be enough. We have tried that several times in recent years, only to find afterward that it was not the sole solution.