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Under the title “Styrian SPÖ Position for Opposition Politics”, Anton Lang finalized his withdrawal at a meeting of the state party’s executive committee. In his place, the ‘party rebel’ from Upper Styria, Max Lercher, takes the lead in the opposition for the first time.

Lang himself did not step in front of the microphones after the meeting. Lercher was given the floor, with Doris Kampus and Ursula Lackner on the left and right, as well as Jörg Leichtfried and others. Lercher first thanked Lang, who “did everything until the last moment to create the best possible transition in the SPÖ Styria”. He did not push for publicity, but created solutions in the background, according to the designated party chairman.

“I am often called a party rebel. I’ve thought about why: I think it’s because I like to call things by their names. I want to continue this in my new role. I was elected chairman with 87 percent. Even for me it is surprising in its magnitude, because – to be honest, I don’t have friends everywhere in the movement. My job is to strengthen the friendship. I am aware of this and thank you for your trust. ” At his proposal, Hannes Schwarz remains club chairman. According to Lercher, he was confirmed with more than 93 percent.

Lercher continued: “We could now start saying: the results were the way they were because we communicated poorly, or weren’t heard, or didn’t manage the processes well. I don’t want to do that. We have understood that we are no longer credible. in many areas I am sorry – especially for the results among workers and women. There must be a reason why people are voting for the FPÖ. You should not cover up this reason, you should face it and build credibility.”

He wants to present “solutions without ideological blinders”: “The reality of people’s lives, the concerns and hardships of the Styrians are my political program, we must face them. As of today, it seems that we will be in opposition for the We will not be flatly against everything.” The SPÖ wants to contribute constructively where it can, but take tough action if what has been announced is not achieved.

Lang and Lercher made no statement to the media before the meeting, but Leoben’s mayor Kurt Wallner, who was among the first to loudly suggest a possible coalition with the FPÖ after the elections, said: “I expect unity and frankness from the meeting .” He spoke out in favor of Lercher, but also said that there should be no “frontal opposition politics”, but “critical and constructive positions”.

In addition to Lang, Lercher and Wallner, other mayors of cities such as Knittelfeld’s city head Harald Bergmann and other important representatives of the Styrian SPÖ also attended the meeting: the trade union members Josef Muchitsch and Horst Schachner, Klaus Zenz (FSG), Elisabeth Grossmann and chairman of the city council from Graz, Daniela Schlüsselberger.

More about the elections in Styria

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