The state party conference took place at the Vienna Trade Fair on Saturday morning Vienna SPÖ began. It also serves as a kick-off for the EU election campaign. Among other things, an appearance by the SPE’s top candidate is planned Nicolas Schmit. The re-election of the mayor is also on the agenda Michael Ludwig to state party chairman.
The Vienna SPÖ now only holds a “real” party conference every two years. In the intervening years, a “Vienna Conference” takes place with a strong thematic focus. Now we meet again in the classic setting, which was immediately converted into the red start of the European election campaign.
Numerous guests of honor
At the start, the state party secretary welcomed Barbara Novak the numerous guests of honor – such as the former federal party chairman and chancellor Franz Vranitzky as well as the long-time mayor and Vienna party leader Michael Häupl.
In his hour-long speech, the mayor touched on the topic Michael Ludwig many subjects. Right at the beginning, Vienna’s SPÖ leader made it clear that this state party conference, organized jointly with the federal SPÖ, represented a “sign of solidarity”: “We show that many of the rumors that are being spread are not true!” said Ludwig and assured the SPÖ leader Andreas Babler“that Vienna will support the federal government with all its strength.”
solidarity
Ludwig began with the topic of solidarity, which must be expressed, for example, with Ukraine and its people who are suffering from the Russian war of aggression.
Vienna and Austria would have to commit to neutrality. Not because you are a security policy free rider, but because Vienna It is home to 40 international organizations and is a “natural opportunity for peace conferences”. This was the first time that there was clear criticism of the federal government. “Such an attitude would of course require an active foreign policy.” But the federal government can’t do that.
In many places, Ludwig assured the union of the solidarity of the Vienna SPÖ. There must always be plenty of space in the party for the FSG. In this respect, it is no coincidence that GPA boss Barbara Teiber The Viennese SPÖ is running for a prominent position.
Vienna’s SPÖ boss promised the nursing staff that the tense situation would change soon – because new employees were being trained. And he defended the model of free all-day school, in which meals are also paid for. It’s not acceptable “that children don’t get a hot meal all day.”
The topic of integration touched Ludwig briefly. Family reunification presents Vienna with major challenges. “We are challenged, but not overwhelmed.”
But the federal government is also called upon here. As a landlocked federal state, Vienna has no influence on “who comes to us”. And in general, the SPÖ’s stance on migration and integration is crystal clear: “Integration before immigration!” Perhaps the 16-page policy paper on the topic needs to be made even shorter and clearer. “But unlike other parties, we have a position on this.”
Gas price cap
Michael Ludwig expressed sharp criticism of the government’s inflation policy. “Gas price caps, rent price caps, we demanded all of that!” said the party leader at the lectern. But instead of taking countermeasures, the government pushed for one-off payments.
And in this context, Ludwig also warned against the government’s simple demand to reduce non-wage labor costs. This means cuts in the welfare state. “And the SPÖ is not available for that.”
According to the mayor of Vienna This was followed by an EU bloc that the current EU Labor Commissioner, who comes from Luxembourg Nicolas Schmit opened, who was chosen as the top candidate of the European Social Democratic Party (PES) for the upcoming European elections. The speech of the local SPÖ top candidate Andreas Schieder and the EU representatives Evelyn Regnerwho is also Vice-President of the European Parliament, will be on the program afterwards.
Only then, probably shortly before noon, will he become SPÖ party leader Andreas Babler speak to the delegates. The new committees will be elected, although there will be no changes to the presidium. There is no opponent for Ludwig in sight. The state party chairman was last confirmed in 2022 with 94.4 percent.
