Hans Peter Doskozil Elected Leader of Austria's Social Democrats

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Hans Peter Doskozil, a former defense minister, has been elected as the new leader of Austria's Social Democratic Party (SPOe) at a party conference on Saturday in Vienna. Doskozil, considered a relative hardliner within the party, prevailed in a ballot over other contenders.

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Doskozil succeeds Pamela Rendi-Wagner, who resigned as leader in May after a series of electoral setbacks. Doskozil, who has served as the governor of the Burgenland region since 2019, was seen as a potential compromise candidate capable of uniting various factions within the SPOe.

During his previous tenure as defense minister, Doskozil gained a reputation for his hardline stance on immigration and national security. However, he has also emphasized the importance of social justice and equality.

The election of Doskozil represents a shift for the SPOe, which has struggled to maintain its traditional base of support in recent years. Doskozil's victory is seen as a chance for the party to regain some of its lost ground and prepare for upcoming elections.