Doskozil to join Babler talks as SPÖ leadership dispute continues

Burgenland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil will attend a Sunday meeting called by Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) leader Andreas Babler as the party faces a leadership challenge, ORF reported.

A spokesperson for Doskozil confirmed his attendance on Thursday. No details about the meeting or statement from Doskozil were provided in advance.

SPÖ parliamentary group leader Roland Fürst said the federal party was in a very difficult position. Asked whether Gerhard Zeiler should take over as party leader and Babler should step down, Fürst said those responsible for the party’s situation should answer that question. He said neither the SPÖ Burgenland branch nor Doskozil was responsible.

Fürst said the Burgenland branch had not backed calls earlier in the year for former leader Christian Kern to return, and was not supporting Zeiler now. He said the party needed to find the best solution for social democracy, adding that winning elections was essential and that the current lineup did not appear capable of doing so.