# SPÖ Formalizes Leadership Amid Economic Slump

October 10, 2026 at 10:57 AM

> Andreas Babler leads the SPÖ as a new coalition prepares for Markus Marterbauer to become Vice-Chancellor amid record government spending.

The [SPÖ](<https://austriareport.com/entity/social-democratic-party-of-austria-q179111>) has formalized its leadership structure, naming [Andreas Babler](<https://austriareport.com/entity/andreas-babler-q20030152>) as party chairman while Eva-Maria Holzleitner and Philip Kucher serve as executive chairpersons. Under a new coalition with the ÖVP and Neos, [Markus Marterbauer](<https://austriareport.com/entity/markus-marterbauer-q15437820>) will become Vice-Chancellor in 2027.

Current economic data reveals that Austria's government spending has reached 56 percent of its total economic output. **Franz Schellhorn**, director of the think tank Agenda Austria and former Die Presse editor, notes that the nation now has the weakest growth in the EU.

This leadership transition occurs as the coalition partners face significant fiscal challenges. With state spending at record levels and economic performance lagging behind all other [European Union](<https://austriareport.com/entity/european-union-q458>) members, the new administration must address these systemic issues.


[#SPÖ](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/sp%C3%B6>) [#AustriaEconomy](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/austriaeconomy>) [#AndreasBabler](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/andreasbabler>) #AgendaAustria [#EU](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/eu>)

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