Styrian SPÖ Leader Lercher: 'We Don't Want to Become the KPÖ'

Styrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) leader Max Lercher asserted that his party does not aim to emulate the Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ), even in the wake of electoral difficulties. Lercher's comments came during an appearance on the ORF television program "ZiB 2."

During the interview with anchor Armin Wolf, Lercher addressed the perceived "failure of social democracy" in Graz. Despite the challenging political climate, he maintained a measured tone, discussing the complexities of federal politics, including the ongoing efforts within the coalition government and the intricate issue of value-added tax reduction.

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If Markus Marterbauer says he wants to run, then we can talk.

When pressed by Wolf, who used terms ranging from "teasing" to "huge disaster," Lercher remained composed. He indicated a willingness to engage in dialogue about potential candidacies, stating, "If Markus Marterbauer says he wants to run, then we can talk." This suggests internal party discussions are underway regarding future leadership and electoral strategies, even as Lercher seeks to distance the SPÖ from the KPÖ's political identity.

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When the ZiB 2 interview purposefully steers towards the 'failure of social democracy' in Graz, even the Styrian SPÖ chairman Max Lercher comments with restraint on federal politics between the struggles of the reform partnership and the complicated value-added tax reduction.