Mega duels on May 1st: SPÖ and FPÖ in an exchange of blows!

Mega duels on May 1st: SPÖ and FPÖ in an exchange of blows!

On May 1, 2025, the traditional “Labor Day”, there was a political dispute between the SPÖ and the FPÖ in Austria. While tens of thousands of SPÖ supporters gathered on the town hall square in Vienna, the FPÖ rally in Linz took place in the beer tent. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, who was celebrated by visitors as a potential chancellor, spoke here and received applause for his provocative statements.

Vienna's mayor Michael Ludwig, who represents the SPÖ, was critical of the FPÖ during the rally and ruled out a coalition with this party. Ludwig announced that he wanted to form a strong state government in Vienna before the summer and proudly reported on the SPÖ's results in the local elections, in which 95 percent of the Sprengel results went for the Social Democrats. “We in Vienna stick together,” was the motto of the SPÖ event, at which Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler and Chamber of Labor President Renate Anderl also gave speeches.

FPÖ rally in Linz

In Linz, however, Kickl emphasized in his speech that the FPÖ was the only party that was really on the side of the people. He was convinced that the FPÖ would emerge as the “election winner”. In his critical debate with the SPÖ, Kickl described his political opponent Babler as a “left-wing tick” and announced that he would “do another round”. He also addressed topics such as remigration using the metaphor of a “deportation plane”.

Kickl received support from Manfred Haimbuchner, the Upper Austrian deputy governor, which underlined the loyalty within the FPÖ. At this rally, Kickl promised to further advance the “people's chancellor” ambitions of the new FPÖ course and emphasized an alleged “blackout in politics” as a positive circumstance.

Reactions and requirements

The SPÖ's reserved criticism of the FPÖ was heard by Klaus Seltenheim, an SPÖ manager, who described Kickl as the "most cowardly party leader in Austria" and emphasized that the FPÖ leader did not present any real solutions to the country's challenges. At the same time, the SPÖ emphasized its role as a defender of disadvantaged social groups and called on the federal government to implement a weapons ban in Vienna.

The events of May 1st not only reflected the political tensions between these two parties, but also showed the different approaches of the SPÖ and FPÖ in dealing with social and political challenges. While the SPÖ presented itself as a bulwark against authoritarian regimes, the FPÖ celebrated its approval and the prospect of future success.

The Greens, who held their own event on April 30 under the slogan “Day of the Unemployed,” and the NEOS, who designated May 1 as “Education Day,” broadened the political spectrum on Labor Day and called for improvements in the labor market and reforms.