DistantNews
Support us
Vienna Chamber of Commerce chief Walter Ruck faces fallout from leaked remarks
🇦🇹 Austria /Elections & Politics

Vienna Chamber of Commerce chief Walter Ruck faces fallout from leaked remarks

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Under investigation
  • Vienna Chamber of Commerce President Walter Ruck is under fire following the leak of a confidential conversation.
  • The transcript reveals Ruck's alleged "job-trading" practices, consolidation of power, and controversial views on women.
  • Ruck maintains a strong power base within the Vienna Business Association and has refused to resign, despite calls for clarification from the Chancellor.

Vienna Chamber of Commerce President Walter Ruck is facing significant backlash after a leaked confidential conversation revealed alleged "job-trading" practices, a consolidation of his power at the expense of the ÖVP party, and a disturbing view on women. The transcript, published by "Profil" and "Kronen Zeitung," has sent political shockwaves through Austria, prompting calls for clarification from Chancellor Christian Stocker.

Because the ÖVP plays no role anyway. And if the ÖVP gets a little too cheeky, then the Chamber of Commerce president comes, does a couple of 'bangs,' and it's quiet again.

— Walter RuckDescribing his perceived power to control the ÖVP's political actions.

The leaked remarks show Ruck expressing disdain for the ÖVP, stating, "Because the ÖVP plays no role anyway. And if the ÖVP gets a little too cheeky, then the Chamber of Commerce president comes, does a couple of 'bangs,' and it's quiet again." He also allegedly stated, "Listen, I don't want to work with a woman!" and "The Vienna Chamber of Commerce is never interested in having an ÖVP mayor." This has raised serious questions about the ÖVP's ability to function as an opposition party in Vienna, especially when its influential figures appear to undermine its stance against the ruling SPÖ party.

Listen, I don't want to work with a woman!

— Walter RuckRevealing a potentially sexist attitude towards professional collaboration.

Despite the mounting accusations, Ruck appears unlikely to resign. He has adopted a "hunker down and push through" strategy, similar to how he handled previous allegations of a significant increase in his functionary compensation during economic crises. His re-election in May with an overwhelming majority of 121 out of 122 votes by the Vienna Business Association, the body that can remove him, demonstrates his secure power base. Even Vienna Chamber of Commerce Vice President Margarete Kriz-Zwittkovits, whom Ruck allegedly "ordered" not to run for election so his son could take a party list spot, has publicly supported him, emphasizing his track record over "flippant remarks."

The Vienna Chamber of Commerce is never interested in having an ÖVP mayor.

— Walter RuckIndicating a lack of support for the ÖVP party's political aspirations in Vienna.
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.

More Stories

From Our Blog