Austria social democrats leader calls for party unity during Labour Day address

Austrian chancellor and leader of the Social Democrats (SPOe) Christian Kern called for unity within his party during his address at its traditional May 1 Labour Day rally on Monday.

Speaking to thousands in attendance outside the Rathausplatz in the national capital Vienna, Kern addressed recent turbulence in the SPOe ranks, stating the SPOe had always managed to overcome crises when it stood together.

He noted that the "true opponent" of the party is "not within its own ranks," saying the "key" to the chancellery the party presently occupies will not simply be given to the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), which is seen as a challenger at the polls.

The chancellor once again hosed down talk of early elections, acknowledging that while difficulties exist in the government's work, early elections would not solve any problems.

The party had recently come under media scrutiny after long-serving mayor of Vienna and SPOe mainstay Michael Hauepl attained approval of only 77.4 percent during a vote from party delegates at its state convention on Saturday.

In 2015 his approval was a much higher 95.8 percent. Endit