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Babler Resigns as Social Democrats Leader After Poll Drop

By Drooid · Oct 5, 2026, 2:45 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Andreas Babler announced his resignation as vice chancellor and Social Democratic Party leader.
He said growing unrest inside the Social Democrats prompted his decision.
Recent polls show the Social Democrats at 15%, a six-point drop since September 2024.
The far-right Freedom Party (FPO) now polls around 38%, outpacing the Social Democrats and People's Party combined.
Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer, undergoing cancer treatment, will replace Babler as vice chancellor early next year.

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Story summary

Andreas Babler announced his resignation as vice chancellor and Social Democratic Party leader.
He said growing unrest inside the Social Democrats prompted his decision.
Recent polls show the Social Democrats at 15%, a six-point drop since September 2024.
The far-right Freedom Party (FPO) now polls around 38%, outpacing the Social Democrats and People's Party combined.
Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer, undergoing cancer treatment, will replace Babler as vice chancellor early next year.