Ludwig says Zeiler has no chance of an SPÖ role

Vienna SPÖ leader Michael Ludwig says media manager Gerhard Zeiler has no chance of taking a party role, as the Social Democrats prepare for a leadership transition. Ludwig made the comments on Monday in an interview with ORF’s “Wien heute” programme.

SPÖ leader Andreas Babler announced on Sunday that he would step back gradually, with his withdrawal complete by the end of the year. Ludwig said the party had responded to a strong desire for change and that those involved had agreed on a path to reorganise the Social Democrats.

Zeiler has said he intends to run for party leader. Asked about a possible candidacy, which would require him to collect signatures, Ludwig said it was up to Zeiler but did not seem appropriate after Sunday’s discussions. Ludwig said he had not sensed strong support for Zeiler and, while his work as a manager should be valued, he saw no chance for him to take on a role in the SPÖ. Zeiler, who is currently in New York, is due to comment on the party’s recent decisions on Wednesday.

The party will be led provisionally by Babler, Women’s Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner and parliamentary group leader Philip Kucher. Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer is due to become vice-chancellor when he is ready. Ludwig said Marterbauer’s recovery from cancer was progressing very positively and that the party wanted to allow for his recovery.

The handover of the federal parliamentary group leadership is scheduled for the start of next year, with a party congress planned afterwards, probably in March. Ludwig said the arrangements would preserve stability in the federal government and bring no surprises for coalition partners. He said a second federal managing director was not discussed on Sunday and that his own focus remained on local politics in Vienna.