The ORF foundation board chose Clemens Pig as the new director general after hours of deliberation. The 51-year-old is to lead Austria’s largest media company from 2027, the broadcaster announced. It is the first time in decades that an external candidate has taken the post.
The election lasted a total of 15 hours. More than 70 candidates had submitted applications, nine of whom faced a hearing on Thursday. The board ultimately decided on Pig, who most recently served as managing director of the news agency APA for ten years. He is considered a tech-savvy media manager but has no TV experience.
However, the election could face legal review. Foundation board member Peter Westenthaler, who is close to the far-right FPÖ, announced he would challenge it. He told journalists of a “disgusting staging” and accused the ruling parties SPÖ and ÖVP of having agreed on a candidate before the tender was issued.
The ORF was looking for a new chief after former director general Roland Weißmann became embroiled in a scandal. He was accused of sending penis pictures to a female employee. The case plunged the broadcaster into a serious crisis.
Source: www.spiegel.de
