Dornauer Battles SPÖ Expulsion Over Energy Profit Dispute, Threatens Party Rift
A Tyrolean state parliament member’s expulsion from the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) over a solo initiative demanding the return of energy company profits to the public is fueling a major internal conflict, raising questions about internal democracy and the direction of the SPÖ under Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler. Georg Dornauer, 42, is challenging the decision, arguing it violates party statutes and represents a fundamental injustice.
Dornauer expressed surprise at the expulsion, particularly given his strong electoral performance – securing 10,000 preferential votes in the Tyrolean state parliament. He framed his motion, concerning approximately €380 million in excess profits from the tyrolean state energy supplier Tiwag, as a core social democratic principle: returning wealth to those who generated it.
“You can also be surprised if you sit in the Tyrolean state parliament for the Social Democrats – with 10,000 preferential votes,” Dornauer stated in a recent interview. He asserted that the leadership’s reluctance to embrace the proposal stemmed from a preference for deferring to their coalition partner, the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP). While acknowledging the perception that he acted unilaterally,Dornauer maintained he circulated the motion within the SPÖ parliamentary club in August,seeking review and discussion.
The controversy highlights a tension between individual initiative and party discipline. Dornauer suggested that had he been state party chairman, he would have supported a fellow member championing a similarly aligned issue.”If a member of parliament had pushed forward an issue…that reflected the core brand of the Social Democratic Party, as I have currently done, then it would have had a place in the club and also in the party,” he explained.
Dornauer is formally objecting to the expulsion, citing its severity and lack of justification. He noted that several local SPÖ organizations have already departed the Tyrolean state institution in protest, bolstering his claim of widespread support. He initially contacted Federal Managing Director Klaus Seltenheim regarding the matter, describing the conversation as “very friendly and appreciative.” However, his status within the federal party structure has been swiftly curtailed.
Despite being elected to the federal party executive committee with 90% of the vote, Dornauer reports being removed from the official WhatsApp chat shortly after his expulsion. Seltenheim, according to Dornauer, informed him of his diminished role. He is now seeking arbitration from a federal party court, rather than relying on what he deems “biased officials” within the Tyrolean SPÖ.
Within the SPÖ, Dornauer identifies allies including Mario Leiter in Vorarlberg, Max lercher, Burgenland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil, and Lower Austria’s state chairman Sven Hergovich, praising their “pragmatically sensible” approaches. He refrained from naming others, stating, “I will no longer turn my heart into a den of murderers.”
While once considered a potential candidate for federal office, Dornauer acknowledges those doors may be closed. Though, he remains optimistic about future opportunities. “Maybe this one door remains closed, but as we know, another one always opens,” he said.
The possibility of forming his own political list remains open, fueled by encouragement from voters, but Dornauer is not yet prepared to make a decision. He is awaiting the outcome of the arbitration process and assessing the future political landscape.
Dornauer delivered a blunt assessment of the SPÖ’s recent performance, stating that many within the party believe it has substantially declined under former leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner. He pointed to the current 17% polling figures as evidence of this decline, attributing it in part to the current party statutes, which he claims were waved through despite warnings from figures like the Mayor of Vienna. He believes Vice Chancellor Babler is now leveraging those same statutes to his advantage.
The unfolding situation underscores a deeper struggle for the soul of the SPÖ, pitting Dornauer’s vision of a socially democratic party responsive to the needs of its constituents against a leadership seemingly prioritizing party unity and coalition pragmatism. The arbitration court’s decision will likely have far-reaching consequences for the future of the SPÖ in Tyrol and beyond.
