Styrian SPÖ Chief Lercher Admits Party Mistakes After Graz Debacle

Self-Criticism and Differentiation from the KPÖ

Lercher admitted shortcomings within his own party. The SPÖ had „mit uns selbst beschäftigt, aber nicht mehr mit den Bürgerinnen und Bürgern". The party is „kein Selbstzweck"; it must care about the working middle class and reach out to non-voters. The Graz SPÖ chief Doris Kampus had already resigned, as the report noted.

Defense of the Economic Policy Decisions

At the same time, Lercher defended the reduction of VAT on staple foods as a „Maßnahme, die inflationsdämpfend wirkt" that goes „in die richtige Richtung". In response to criticism of the complicated implementation and the minimal savings, he said: „Jetzt ist die Frage, ist es besser, man tut gar nichts oder nimmt man das, was möglich war." He also spoke of a „typisch österreichischen Umsetzung".

The SPÖ politician also described the extension of the fuel price brake as a „Minimalkompromiss dieser Koalition". When asked whether savings of less than one cent per liter amounted to a „Verhöhnung", he pointed out that at least a partial relief had been achieved.

Health Reform and ÖGK Comparison

In the health sector, Lercher warned against cutting regional structures in the course of the health reform. Specialized procedures could be consolidated, he said, but he rejected any cuts to care. He called the reform of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) under Sebastian Kurz „ein schlechtes Beispiel für Zentralisierung" and a „Milliardengrab geworden ohne Verbesserungen".

Speculation about Marterbauer and the Party Leadership

The ZiB 2 broadcast was moderated by Armin Wolf. The role of Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer was also addressed. According to polls, the SPÖ would be „mit Finanzminister Markus Marterbauer an der Spitze deutlich stärker". Lercher dismissed this as a fictional debate: „Das ist eine fiktive Diskussion. Marterbauer ist nicht bereit, die Partei zu übernehmen", he said. Should Marterbauer, however, declare his candidacy, one could talk about it. The current party chairman is Andreas Babler, who also serves as Vice Chancellor.

Lercher, who had previously supported Hans Peter Doskozil, the governor of Burgenland, in the race for the SPÖ chairmanship, stressed that he had learned from past debates: „Ich bin kein Kritiker von Personen, ich streite um die besten Inhalte." He called speculation about a change at the federal leadership level „rein nur ein Gedankenexperiment".

Outlook on the State Election

The text also highlighted that the federal SPÖ currently stands at 18 percent in polls – three percentage points below its historically worst election result from 2024. Lercher admitted: „Wir haben Fehler gemacht über 40 Jahre, die kann ich in eineinhalb Jahren auch nicht alle wettmachen." However, he was „hoffnungsfroh" that the Social Democrats would achieve a different result in the next state election in Graz. The report stated on this matter: „Das ist nicht mehr eine Kurve, das ist de facto ein Absturz."

Lercher emphasized in conclusion that health policy is not about „Macht- und Systemfragen", but about „das Leben der Menschen besser zu machen". The article was written by Harald Fidler and published on 1.7.2026.