ONE OF US

YouTube Premiere AUS KREISKYS WOHNZIMMER

Andreas Babler in conversation with Robert Misik

ONE OF US
The peculiar success of Mayor Andreas Babler

As mayor of Traiskirchen, Andreas Babler is already something of a role model for a straightforward, down-to-earth social democrat who is able to combine loyalty to principles, proximity to the grassroots and electoral success.
When he first ran for mayor, he achieved a historic mark of over 73 per cent for the SPÖ, a result that he almost achieved again five years later with just under 72 per cent.
Babler is used to crises: his city was at the centre of the so-called „refugee crisis“ in 2015, and despite the largest initial reception camp, Babler was able to mobilise the spirit of solidarity in his city. During the Covid-19 crisis, the mayor took action for all to see right from the start: older citizens were cared for in a spirit of solidarity, Babler's SPÖ organised tests, and the failings of the education authorities were simply made up for locally by ensuring comparatively safe schools, for example. Where the government failed, Babler and his team acted. Where others only criticise, they show how things can be done better. In all of this, Babler also adopts a rhetoric that makes him feel like „one of us“ to broad sections of the population.
In an interview with Robert Misik, he shares his experiences and assessments.

Andreas Babler (* 25 February 1973 in Mödling) is mayor of the municipality of Traiskirchen.
Babler grew up in a family of Semperit workers in the Wienersdorf district of Traiskirchen. He worked as a machine fitter and shift worker for Vöslauer Mineralwasser AG. He studied political communication at the Danube University in Krems.
Babler joined the SPÖ in 1989 when he joined the Socialist Youth. He soon became regional secretary in Lower Austria, later federal secretary and went on to become vice president and European chairman of the Socialist World Youth International (IUSY).
He has been a member of the municipal council since 1995 and Mayor of Traiskirchen since April 2014.

Robert Misik, Author and journalist