ÖVP and SPÖ celebrate 80 years: A look at the history of Austria

ÖVP and SPÖ celebrate 80 years: A look at the history of Austria

In 2025, the Austrian political parties ÖVP and SPÖ celebrate their 80th anniversary. The foundation of both parties goes back to 1945, which were launched after the end of the Second World War. This makes you the oldest parliamentary parties in Austria. While the ÖVP will celebrate its anniversary with a festive event on April 16, 2025 in Vienna, the SPÖ celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2024. A commemoration of the re -establishment of the SPÖ on April 14, 1945 took place in the Vienna City Hall and is viewed as a symbolic act of resistance to oppression and injustice.

The foundation of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) led to the revival of the political landscape after the cruel years of National Socialism. It marked the beginning of a new era of social progress and democratic participation in Austria. Since then, the SPÖ has been committed to the rights of workers and helped to set the course for future social reforms. Significant achievements, such as the introduction of the welfare state, the promotion of education and culture as well as the strengthening of employee rights, were achieved among leaders such as Karl Renner and Bruno Kreisky.

ÖVP celebrations and review

The ÖVP is planning a festive mass in the Schottenkirche for its 80th anniversary, which will be the beginning of the celebrations. The motto is: "80 years of the people's party - 80 years responsibility for Austria". At a recent federal party conference of the ÖVP, Chancellor Christian Stocker was again elected party leader, while an exhibition with life -size cardboard characters of the adhesives was presented. In addition, a book entitled "Everything for Austria - as the People's Party has been writing history for 80 years" was published.

The political structures of Austria have changed decisively since 1945. The system was shaped by extreme party state and association of associations, a characteristic that distinguishes Austria from other western democracies. Political loyalities developed in the socialist and Christian-conservative team, while the German national camp was severely discredited after National Socialism. The major parties, which include the SPÖ and ÖVP, set the political agenda in Austria until 1966.

Current challenges

A recent time has become a decline in the voices of the large parties, while the turnout remains above the European average despite declining trends. Smaller parties such as the FPÖ and the Greens benefit from the departure from the traditional structures. The membership numbers of SPÖ and ÖVP are declining, while the influence of these parties on the state and society is increasingly questioned. This could possibly be interpreted as part of a greater change in Austria's political logic.

in the political landscape, which goes back from historical embossing to the time of the Habsburg monarchy, it becomes increasingly demanding to protect the specific features. The influence of the social partnership, which has been the second decision center since 1945, is still under pressure. These challenges and the changed social conditions will have to shape the future orientation of the SPÖ and ÖVP.