New Zib Talk with explosive Vienna election topics: Who wins?

New Zib Talk with explosive Vienna election topics: Who wins?

On April 22, 2025, a new political discussion format on ORF, the "ZIB Talk", which deals with current federal political issues. The talk is broadcast on ORF 2 and ORF ON on Tuesdays at 10:35 p.m. after the "ZIB 2". The first edition addresses the Vienna election, which is considered a mood test for the new three-person coalition in the federal government. At a time when the FPÖ has increased to the strongest party with 29.2 percent, according to the last parliamentary election, the effects of this election are of great interest. The ÖVP recorded a dramatic decline in 26.5 percent and faces challenges in voting.

The moderation of the "Zib Talks" is taken over by Simone Stribl, which can also be seen in the program "Studio 2". Changing moderators such as Alexandra Maritza Wachter, Tarek Leitner and Stefan Lenglinger will also be involved. Various prominent guests are invited in this first episode, including Christian Hafenecker, General Secretary of the FPÖ, Nico Marchetti from the ÖVP, Klaus Rachheim from the SPÖ, Douglas Hoyos, General Secretary of the Neos, and Olga Voglauer from the Greens. This round promises a fair and controversial discussion about the current political challenges in Austria.

Vienna election as a mood test

The upcoming Vienna election is perceived as the first mood test for the new federal government. While the ÖVP expects losses, the FPÖ hopes to be able to achieve growth in Vienna. The turnout in the last parliamentary election was almost 80 percent, which indicates the great interest of the voters in a directional decision. Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who remains in office for the time being, announced that he wanted to work with other parties in order to meet the concerns of the electorate. These developments could have significant effects on the political landscape in Austria.

The SPÖ faces the FPÖ and tries to position itself as a "fire wall" after they received the historically lowest number of votes at 21 percent. The NEOs were able to grow slightly and reach 9 percent, which indicates moderate support for liberal concerns. However, the attitude of other parties to the FPÖ is critical, which could make the formation of a new coalition difficult. Herbert Kickl, chairman of the FPÖ, has already signaled the willingness to form the government and emphasized that the voters had spoken a "word of power". Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has already agreed to the resignation of Nehammer, while government formation is expected to extend over several months.

For more information on the Vienna election and political development in Austria, visit the websites of [ots] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250421_ots0010/auftakt-fuer-zen-zib-talk-wien-wahl-derstunge test) and Tagesschau.