FAYMANN FORAY INTO FOREIGN AFFAIRS: FALLS FLAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001366 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2024 TAGS: PREL PGOV AU SUBJECT: FAYMANN FORAY INTO FOREIGN AFFAIRS: FALLS FLAT REF: VIENNA 1058 Classified By: Econ/Pol Counselor Dean Yap. Reason: 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. An attempt by Austrian Chancellor Faymann to assert a role in Austrian EU policy failed within 72 hours and has become another bone of contention between his Social Democrats (SPO) and the People's Party (OVP). On October 16 Faymann unexpectedly announced his support for retaining Benita Ferrero-Waldner (herself an OVP member) as Austria's EU Commissioner, although he had earlier indicated the decision was a matter for the OVP to resolve. The OVP leadership has been supporting former party leader and Vice-Chancellor Wilhelm Molterer for the job. Combined with Faymann's failure to show up for a major EU event in Vienna involving Commission President Barroso and his misrepresentation of his whereabouts on Friday evening, these events have made Faymann an object of media humor and critical commentary. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On June 19 the EU opened a new representational office in Vienna's historic center, with Commission President Barroso in attendance, On the margins of the event, Chancellor Faymann met Barroso and afterwards announced to the press that he favored retaining Ferrero-Waldner because she had done a good job and because Barroso was looking for additional women in the Commission. Despite his support for Ferrero-Waldner, however, Faymann felt no need to attend the actual opening of the new EU office, at which, in addition to Barroso and Ferrero-Waldner, Austrian President Fischer, Vice-Chancellor Proell, Foreign Minister Spindelegger and numerous other public figures were present. ¶3. (U) Faymann's statement did, however, prompt a quick response by OVP leader Proell, who said that the decision was one for his party to take and that it, while not having made a decision, was leaning toward former leader Molterer. Indeed, Faymann had previously indicated SPO disinterest in the Commissioner issue and it is highly unusual in Austria for one party to attempt to influence the personnel decisions of another. Faymann's stumble was compounded when it was learned that he also misrepresented his whereabouts on Friday evening. He had been scheduled to host a dinner at the Chancellery for Jacek Kuron and other participants in a discussion of Poland's Solidarity movement. In the event, he did not appear, and guests were told that he was involved in "further negotiations" with Barroso. However, Barroso's office later confirmed that he had departed Austria several hours before the dinner and alleged "further negotiations." Faymann's whereabouts have not yet been explained. ¶4. (C) Comment: Left-leaning "Standard" opined on October 20, "Faymann ... well, Faymann makes mistakes that one would not like to think possible. Not going to the opening of the new EU office testifies to a misunderstanding of what a Chancellor should or should not do that renders one speechless." The grounds for Faymann's odd intervention may lie in pressure from party activists, unhappy with his willingness to compromise with the OVP and frightened by the party's recent election losses and decline in opinion pols. Molterer, moreover, is disliked by many in the SPO. SPO MP Jan Krainer told us October 20 (without himself backing the tactic) that Faymann is pretending to back Ferrero-Waldner mainly as a way of blocking Molterer and if signaling to the OVP that they must put forth an alternative, compromise candidate. The rumor mill is also suggesting that Faymann simply got angry when Proell allegedly told Barroso on Oct. 15 that Molterer would be the Austrian candidate, without having obtained formal approval from the cabinet for the nomination. Whatever the reasons, Faymann has some explaining to do. End Comment. HOH