Herbst’s Withdrawal is Imminent

Herbst’s Withdrawal is Imminent / Picture: © Vienna Airport / Flughafen Wien AG

Christoph Herbst currently offers ample opportunity for media speculation. According to rumors, he might be interested in a position at the Constitutional Court.

The dispute between the ÖVP and SPÖ to gain control of the airport should contribute to the decision to leave the company. Both parties have considerable influence on the Supervisory Board over the stakes of the Provinces of Vienna and Lower Austria: both SPÖ-dominated Vienna and ÖVP-governed Lower Austria claim the Chair of the Supervisory Board. Former Chariman Karl Sonntag left unexpectedly last week.

The way Herbst will submit his resignation is still open. It is possible that Herbst, who only changed over from the Supervisory Board to the Executive Board in December 2010, returns to the controlling body. His complete departure from Vienna Airport is also possible.

Herbst was also rumored recently as the new Minister of Justice. But the current CEO of the airport does not make any comments on the speculations about his person. It is clear that Herbst has a powerful patron and ally in the Governor of the Province of Lower Austria, Erwin Pröll (ÖVP). An eventual return to the Supervisory Board is however questionable, since the Province of Vienna acts as the strongest force within it.