Greens triumph in Vienna election: Judith Pühringer secures third place!

Greens triumph in Vienna election: Judith Pühringer secures third place!

In this year's Vienna election, the Greens were able to maintain their 2020 result and are celebrating a significant success with third place. Top candidate Judith Pühringer, who was already placed on the state list in 2020, has now achieved this success again and possibly even exceeded it. For the Greens, the year 2024 was marked by surveys that showed them significantly lower than the current results. The ÖVP in particular was clearly outclassed by voters, while the FPÖ, which excludes Mayor Michael Ludwig as a possible partner, has also lost influence.

The current majority of the city government, consisting of the SPÖ and Neos, appears to be unstable. Peter Kraus, the Green party leader in Vienna, noted that the SPÖ and Mayor Ludwig have to choose between working with the ÖVP or the Greens. Kraus is aiming for joint leadership of the city party with Pühringer in order to shape Vienna's political future.

Priorities for the future

David Ellensohn, the club chairman of the Green Party, said that the election results greatly exceeded expectations. He emphasized the importance of affordable housing as one of the main tasks for the upcoming city government. One topic that comes up again and again is the possibility of a vacancy tax in order to generate financial resources to cover the housing deficit in Vienna.

In view of the exploding housing costs, general inflation and the misery of educational policy, Pühringer sees an urgent need to address these problems. “We need solutions for the social challenges and have to look to the future with confidence,” explains the top candidate. People with low incomes are particularly badly affected by the current crises, which entails a special responsibility for politicians.

Green engagement in urban politics

The changes in the Greens' stance on the controversial Lobau Tunnel make it clear that the party can adapt its coalition conditions. Even if the project is classified as no longer up to date, the Greens are prepared to rely on cooperation. The SPÖ has also brought the closure of the ring around Vienna into play, a concern that is also supported by the Greens. However, a majority with the Neos could make implementation more difficult, which gives Mayor Ludwig a certain amount of room for maneuver.

There is a lot at stake for the new city government in the coming months. Issues such as social justice and climate protection as well as improving medical care with the e-card must be urgently addressed. Judith Pühringer is convinced that the Greens can make a strong contribution to the formation of the new government with their socially sustainable and economically functioning solutions.

For further information, please visit the Green Vienna website: Judith Pühringer and current reporting is also on oe24 as well as ORF Vienna to find.