Innsbruck, Austria — April 21, 2026
Former Tyrolean SPÖ leader Georg Dornauer has decided not to pursue further appeals against his expulsion from the party, while leaving open the possibility of running with his own list in the 2027 state election.
The 43-year-old politician, now serving as an independent member of the Tyrolean parliament, announced his plans to use 2026 to analyze the political landscape and explore avenues for "sensible politics." He sharply criticized his former party colleagues, declaring his break with social democracy final.
A Break with the SPÖ
Dornauer made clear that collaboration with the current SPÖ is no longer viable, stating that "with this SPÖ, neither at the federal nor at the state level is a fruitful cooperation possible." He described his departure from the party as definitive, marking the end of his affiliation with social democracy.
The former regional party leader launched scathing attacks on both the federal and state branches of the SPÖ, accusing them of drifting toward irrelevance due to a "personell increasingly left-wing composition." He claimed the party was on the "path to left-wing insignificance," leaving no room for what he called "sensible politics for sensible people."
Future Political Plans
Dornauer emphasized his intention to spend the coming year gathering insights and engaging in "critical opposition politics." He stated, "I want to gain insights" and for now will "pursue critical opposition politics." His remarks suggest a period of reflection before any decisive moves, including a potential independent candidacy in the 2027 state election.