Vienna election: Ludwig remains mayor-SPÖ threatens?

Vienna election: Ludwig remains mayor-SPÖ threatens?

The political landscape of Vienna faces changes: Ten months before the upcoming Vienna election, a current survey indicates that Mayor Michael Ludwig from the SPÖ can defend his place. According to a survey by the Institute for Demoscopy and Data Analysis GmbH on behalf of W24, the incumbent mayor would receive 48 percent of the vote in a fictional direct election. Despite a decline in the SPÖ from 41.6 percent in the last election to currently 37 percent, research does not see any significant trend for a overthrow of the current government, since citizens apparently refrain from rethinking. These results present a remarkable continuity at a time when many governments are normally under pressure, as Die Krone reported.

SPÖ and internal challenges

But the mood within the SPÖ is tense. According to trend.at , leaders are actively looking for allies in the federal states in order to rethink Andreas Babler's so-called "left-wing course". The internal criticism indicates that this course sells more voters than attracts and that the upcoming days after the election could offer the opportunity for a fundamental change of course. The reference to a possible crisis that could lead to the disgrace of a third place ensures additional nervousness within the party.

The fact that various internal groups, especially in Tyrol and Salzburg with prominent SPÖ officials, are already exchanging ideas with ex-Chancellor Christian Kern in order to discuss alternative candidates. Kern, who has many supporters in the SPÖ after his abrupt resignation, could flirt with a comeback, but only on the condition that there is a broad call from the party. His return could result in plenty of explosive discussions within the SPÖ, since he has as many opponents as supporters, especially among the leading Viennese SPÖ members and unions.