WKO Head Walter Ruck Denies Resignation Rumors

Vienna Economic Chamber head Walter Ruck denies resignation rumors following leaked protocols as the ÖVP holds a party board meeting.

Walter Ruck, the head of the Vienna Economic Chamber (WKO) and member of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), has confirmed through a spokesperson that he is not resigning. The denial follows the leak of conversation protocols allegedly involving discussions about job deals and derogatory statements about women, industry representatives, and party colleagues. Ruck denies the allegations. Amid the controversy, the ÖVP scheduled an online federal party board meeting for Friday evening, while Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker was in Vorarlberg for a summer tour. Procedurally, the Economic Parliament is the chamber's highest organ, requiring a two-thirds majority of valid votes to remove a president. The Wirtschaftsbund currently holds a 61.5 percent majority in that body. The Ministry of Economic Affairs remains the supervisory authority for the Economic Chamber.