Vienna – Klaus Seltenheim, the federal managing director of the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), defended the party’s current course and dismissed reports of internal division on Friday evening, asserting that the SPÖ is focused on delivering concrete relief measures for the population. Seltenheim’s comments came during an appearance on the ZiB 2 program, as the party prepares for its federal party congress in March.
The SPÖ’s motto for the upcoming congress, “Ordnen statt Spalten” (Order instead of Divide), encapsulates the governing party’s approach, Seltenheim stated. “‘Ordnen statt Spalten’ sums up what we in the governing faction have been doing since day one,” he said, emphasizing efforts to bring order to budgetary issues, inflation, and energy prices. He contrasted this approach with what he characterized as the divisive tactics of political opponents, arguing that such an approach is unsustainable for governing a country.
Addressing questions about internal party debates surrounding the leadership of Andreas Babler, Seltenheim maintained that all decisions within the SPÖ have been reached unanimously. He confirmed that Babler will be the sole candidate presented at the party congress on March 7th. “We unanimously approved the nominations for the party congress on March 7th today in the federal party executive committee and the federal party board,” Seltenheim said. He acknowledged that discussions within the party are normal and beneficial, but stressed the importance of delivering results. “Decisive is whether we deliver and are delivering,” he stated, pointing to the government’s work in areas such as healthcare and measures to combat inflation.
Seltenheim downplayed concerns about potential losses of support for Babler at the party congress, stating that the only percentage point of interest to him is a reduction in value-added tax. He argued that leadership is demonstrated not through individual percentage points, but through the implementation of political projects.
Regarding the ongoing debate surrounding mandatory military service, Seltenheim affirmed the SPÖ’s support for the Austrian Federal Army, advocating for measures to craft the Grundwehrdienst (basic military service) more attractive. However, he explicitly opposed mandatory service for women. The question of a national referendum on the issue, as well as a potential referendum on wealth or inheritance taxes, will require discussion within the governing coalition, Seltenheim indicated, referencing the existing government program as the basis for the SPÖ’s position on millionaire taxes. He noted that concrete negotiations on such taxes would demand to be conducted jointly with coalition partners.
