FPÖ victory in Styria: Sign for turbulent coalition negotiations

FPÖ victory in Styria: Sign for turbulent coalition negotiations

In Styria, the right -wing populist Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has achieved an overwhelming victory in the state election. With a preliminary result of 35 percent, the FPÖ has significantly strengthened its position in the political spectrum and was able to increase the voices by astonishing 17.5 percentage points.

The conservative People's Party (ÖVP), which previously formed the government with the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), had to be satisfied with almost 27 percent, a decline of nine points. The SPÖ itself recorded a slight minus at 21 percent.

changes in the political climate

The choice in Styria not only has local effects, but is also seen as an important mood barometer for the federal political landscape. The success of the FPÖ can be seen based on the previous state election in Vorarlberg and shows a clear trend that seems to influence the direction of the votes.

Although the FPÖ at the federal level under its chairman Herbert Kickl is assessed by the other parties as too radically and therefore remains politically isolated, the FPÖ could meet potential coalition partners with its top candidate Mario Kunasek in Styria.

follow for the coalition negotiations

The clear victory of the FPÖ will probably increase the pressure on the ÖVP, the SPÖ and the liberal Neos, which are currently trying to form a government coalition in Vienna. This triple coalition is a strategic attempt to hold the FPÖ from moving into the Chancellery. FPÖ boss Kickl, on the other hand, interpreted the election result as a clear signal against a "traffic light coalition of the election losers", which could further heat the tensions between the parties.

These elections and their outcome are a decisive signal for political development in Austria, and the dynamics between the parties will have to develop in the coming weeks and months. More details on this topic can be found in a detailed report on www.tagesschau.de .