ÖH election 2025: All about it! This is how the ÖH increases the participation!

ÖH election 2025: All about it! This is how the ÖH increases the participation!

Taubstummengasse 7-9, 1040 Wien, Österreich - The ÖH elections 2025 are just around the corner and take place from May 13th to 15th. In a year in which many students suffer from financial pressure, the Austrian University of Applied Sciences (ÖH) hopes to increase the turnout. To achieve this, the ÖH relies on creative measures, such as a tram that runs through Vienna and is decorated with its logo and election calls. The election campaign receives prominent support from well -known personalities such as author Thomas Brezina, who campaign on social media to participate in the elections. According to vienna.at , a higher turnout is to contribute to improving the interests of the students.

In the upcoming elections, around 400,000 students are entitled to vote, including international students who are enrolled at public and private universities in Austria. It is important that the ÖH contribution for the summer semester is paid until March 25, 2025 in order to be entitled to vote. The students can take part in the election on three levels: the federal representation, the university representation and the study representative. At each of these levels, the students have the opportunity to represent their interests. List voting right applies to the federal and university representation, while the study representative is chosen by individuals.

important deadlines and election modalities

To inform voters, the ÖH has provided an extensive range of information. The students receive three ballot papers for the representations on the election days. Voices can be handed in directly at the university, or postal voting is also possible. The election card office is housed in Taubengasse 7-9, 4th floor (right, secretariat) and has special opening hours to support the students. The application deadline for election cards ends on May 6, so that they have to be abandoned at the post by May 9th at the latest in order to arrive in time, as can be read on oehBahl25.at

A central topic of these elections is the increasing cost of living that many students find unexpected. According to Kontrast.at , around 60% of the students have less than 1,572 euros every month, which is below the poverty risk. The financial situation forces many students to work next to their studies, which can affect the success of the study.

demands of the students

The represented student groups have formulated clear demands in order to improve the living conditions of the students. This includes affordable living space, an increase in study allowance and the reintroduction of the state student center funding. The top candidate of the Association of Socialist Student: Inside (VSSTÖ), Selina Wienerroither, draws attention to the social challenges and encourages all students to take part in the election. In the upcoming panel discussion on May 5, the top candidates have the opportunity to explain their positions and to promote support.

The last ÖH election 2023 showed a turnout of only 21.2 percent, which underlines urgency to persuade the students to participate. The ÖH looks optimistic about the choice and relies on a comprehensive information campaign to actively mobilize the students entitled to vote and to strengthen the representation of their interests.