Who Will Be Minister? Post Squabble Erupts in SPÖ

The SPÖ is trying to involve its top personnel in the final stages of the coalition negotiations. A presidium is scheduled for Tuesday evening, in which party leader Andreas Babler wants to explain the state of negotiations or the almost finalized coalition agreement. More explosive is that, as reported by "Heute" and confirmed by several sources to the APA, a small war has erupted in the background over the posts to be allocated.

Vice Chancellor Babler Confirmed, But Further Role Unclear

There are differing views on who should take over the ministerial offices. Only two things are actually fixed in the red team. Women's leader Eva Maria Holzleitner is to take over the Ministry of Women, and ÖGB Vice Korinna Schumann is to take over the Ministry of Social Affairs after the early withdrawal of GPA leader Barbara Teiber.

It is, of course, clear that party leader Andreas Babler will become Vice Chancellor. However, it is not yet fixed which functions he will take on in addition. Recently, the rumor has arisen that he could lead the powerful but also time-consuming infrastructure department.

This would leave no room for the Lower Austrian state leader Sven Hergovich, with whom Babler is anything but friendly, but who enjoys the strong support of the Third President of the National Council, Doris Bures. As an alternative to Babler himself, ÖBB manager Silvia Angelo, who comes from the ÖGB, is also being considered.

Finance Ministry Central Question

If the party leader himself were to take over, the culture and media agendas would be free, which could then be offered to former ORF chief Alexander Wrabetz. However, he is the candidate of the powerful Vienna city party for the finance department.

But here too, Babler has different plans and wants to install a confidante in this central position, namely the Salzburg National Council member Michaela Schmidt. Although she is considered to be quite competent, she does not necessarily have the best standing with the ÖVP and NEOS.

Duzdar Would Be a Controversial Minister of Justice

This applies even more to another of Babler's favorites. The former State Secretary for Integration, Muna Duzdar, is intended for the Ministry of Justice. Although the early supporter of Babler is from Vienna, she is so poorly regarded in the city party that she was not even offered promising positions for the National Council election. Additionally, the lawyer has already caused negative headlines with a controversial post regarding the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, where she openly blamed NATO for the situation.

Currently, it is still difficult to foresee who will ultimately be the names on the red ministerial list. It is also unlikely that a preliminary decision will be made in the presidium meeting. Ultimately, the party leader will probably find it difficult to push through all his proposals without breaking too much porcelain. Officially, none of the names have been mentioned so far.

SPÖ Party Executive Decides

The decision can ultimately only be made by the party executive, to whom the government program and ministerial list will be presented. A date has not yet been set, not even whether it will take place before or after the NEOS member survey. Currently, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday are being considered.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.