Statute Stand-Off, Governance Under Fire | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

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TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Austria's OAMTC calls on FIA members to reject changes seen as consolidating presidential power

Tensions Rise Ahead of FIA General Assembly

As the FIA General Assembly prepares to meet in Macau on Thursday, discontent is mounting from within the organisation. The Austrian Automobile Association (OAMTC) has urged fellow members to reject proposed statute amendments it fears could erode transparency and limit the democratic integrity of the motorsport governing body.

In a letter dated June 10 and circulated to members of the FIA's mobility division, the OAMTC challenged the urgency and intent behind eight proposed amendments, questioning whether they serve the federation or merely fortify the position of incumbent president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is seeking re-election in December.

Governance in the Spotlight

The OAMTC's message was unequivocal: postpone the vote and reassess the proposed changes in a more neutral setting. "There is no urgency regarding these proposed changes," the letter stated, warning that pushing them through now would only deepen concerns about the FIA's governance standards.

"It cannot be - and is not - a coincidence," the letter continued, that the revisions "relevant to the FIA's elections" are being put forward just as Ben Sulayem prepares for another term.

The reforms are seen by some as potentially deterring challengers in the upcoming presidential election, for which no formal rival has yet emerged.

A Divisive Presidency

Ben Sulayem, who became FIA president in 2021, has faced criticism throughout his tenure -- from clashes with drivers to a wave of internal dissent. His presidency has been marred by high-profile resignations, including that of Robert Reid, a former deputy president and long-time ally, who stepped down in April citing a "fundamental breakdown in governance standards."

The reforms proposed in December last year -- which curtailed the powers of key oversight bodies such as the audit and ethics committees -- were also met with resistance, notably from Motorsport UK chair David Richards.

The current set of amendments, the OAMTC argues, follow a similar pattern, raising "issues of fairness and consistency."

A Divided Membership

Despite the backlash, Ben Sulayem has remained confident in his leadership. "I only have to answer to my members. And they are happy. Actually, they are very happy," he said in a recent interview with Reuters.

Yet not all appear to share that view. The Austrian federation's intervention suggests a growing concern among at least part of the FIA's global network, particularly over the appearance of centralised control and reduced institutional checks.

A spokesperson for the FIA in London confirmed that Thursday's vote remains on the agenda, though no official response to the OAMTC letter had been issued at time of writing.

What's at Stake

With South America's motorsport associations, European mobility clubs, and other regional members often taking different stances on governance matters, the upcoming vote in Macau could prove pivotal. A rejection of the changes would signal strong internal resistance and could embolden a potential challenger to Ben Sulayem's leadership.

But if the amendments are approved, critics fear it will cement a trend of consolidating power at the top of an organisation increasingly viewed as opaque.

Whether Thursday's meeting turns into a procedural formality or a flashpoint for reform remains to be seen. Either way, the credibility of the FIA's governance model -- and the balance of power within it -- is once again under the spotlight.