Social democracy and the Ballhausplatz

The difficult conquest of an institution

Manfred Matzka, Head of the Presidential Office of the Federal Chancellery for many years, is a cultural manager and art lover. He has written numerous legal publications as well as monographs on data protection, social democracy and the constitution and the National Council elections.
Karl Krammer, Former Head of Cabinet under Federal Chancellor Franz Vranitzky, political and media advisor
Erwin Lanc, former federal minister in Bruno Kreisky's cabinet

Moderation Wolfgang Maderthaner, Director General of the Austrian State Archives

The institution's rejection of the „Reds“ was clearly evident when they first entered the building. It began with Otto Bauer, who was met with sheer hatred in 1918. It continued with the ludicrous coalition games played by the Christian Socials in the First Republic to prevent any Social Democratic participation in government. This can be seen after 1945, when Adolf Schärf was really only granted a „cat's table“ as Vice-Chancellor. This was followed by the loveless appointment of Bruno Kreisky as State Secretary in 1953 and the struggle for Foreign Minister. Bruno Kreisky's accession to power in 1970 was characterised by this. The 2000 phase clearly showed how the Austrian People's Party celebrated the return to its God-given hereditary home.

The State Chancellery. 300 years of power and intrigue on Ballhausplatz
ISBN 978-3-7106-0143-9
€ 39,90
Christian Brandstätter Publishing House