Vienna ÖVP Leader Admits Party Blurred Its Core Identity

Markus Figl, the leader of Vienna's ÖVP party, has acknowledged that the party has lost sight of its core identity. He spoke out following a crisis involving Walter Ruck, the former president of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, who faced allegations of sexism and cronyism.

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The ÖVP Vienna has blurred its core identity in the past.

Despite calls for Ruck's resignation from national party leader Christian Stocker, the Vienna branch of the ÖVP's economic wing, the Wirtschaftsbund, continued to support him. This unprecedented situation led to Ruck's eventual expulsion from the party after he refused to step down.

Figl emphasized that while the Wirtschaftsbund is more than just Ruck and has historically cooperated well, reforms are clearly necessary. He indicated that these reforms are needed both within the Chamber of Commerce and the Wirtschaftsbund itself, which had previously defied the Chancellor's directive.

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For me, it was important that we distanced ourselves very clearly and unequivocally from this understanding of politics from the very beginning.

Despite the internal turmoil, Figl expressed no regret about taking on the role of Vienna ÖVP chairman. He stated that he has already initiated contact with the new head of the Wirtschaftsbund, Margarete Kriz-Zwittkovits, and described their initial conversation as positive. Figl is looking forward, aiming to move past the Ruck affair and allow the Vienna ÖVP to pursue a more assertive opposition role without internal sabotage.

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If the Vienna ÖVP becomes a bit too cheeky, then the president of the Chamber of Commerce comes along, makes a 'Wumm, Wumm' twice, and everything is quiet again.