Babler plans to hand Austria’s vice-chancellorship to Marterbauer
Andreas Babler announced a phased handover after talks with Austria’s Social Democratic Party leaders. He intends to remain vice-chancellor through the end of the year before Markus Marterbauer takes over. Philip Kucher and Eva-Maria Holzleitner join the interim party leadership, with a permanent leader to be chosen at a spring 2027 congress. Coalition partners have been informed.
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Marterbauer is intended to take over in 2027
Austria’s vice-chancellor and Social Democratic Party leader Andreas Babler announced a phased withdrawal after discussions with party leaders on Sunday evening. Finance minister Markus Marterbauer is intended to succeed him as vice-chancellor. Babler said he planned to stay at least until the end of the year, with the handover envisaged for the beginning of 2027.[1], [2]
Babler said he could remain in government as a minister if Marterbauer wanted him to do so. His successor would be free to make personnel decisions in the new role.[1]
The permanent party leader awaits a spring congress
Parliamentary group leader Philip Kucher and women’s organisation head Eva-Maria Holzleitner are taking interim leadership roles alongside Babler. A congress in spring 2027 is expected to decide the permanent party leadership. Secretary Klaus Seltenheim said Holzleitner accepted her role on condition that she would not stand for federal party chair after that congress. Babler said all nine regional party leaders had joined roughly four hours of discussions, and presented the handover as an effort to restore unity after damaging internal disputes.[1]
Coalition partners call for government work to continue
Babler said coalition partners ÖVP and NEOS had been informed in advance. He expected remaining a minister to help preserve continuity in government work. Chancellor Christian Stocker said the coalition remained committed to its programme and that internal party disputes should not disrupt its work. The opposition FPÖ renewed its call for an early election. No agreed early election or end to the coalition was announced.[1]
