SPÖ under pressure: Free Alevis boycotten May March 2025!

SPÖ under pressure: Free Alevis boycotten May March 2025!

on May 1, 2025, the international day of the workers' class, the May March in Vienna is overshadowed by conflicts. The spokeswoman for the Vienna, Vera Koller, expresses sharp criticism of the Vienna SPÖ and its lack of distance from the conservative AKP of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the election campaign. Koller calls for an active public commitment of the SPÖ regarding the political situation in Turkey, especially with regard to the recent detention of the Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu, which questions the social and democratic basic values ​​of social democracy [OTS] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_202501_ots0003/auge-wien-zum-ersten-die-poe-and-die-Solidaritaet-zum- der Worker class).

On the occasion of the May March, the free Alevis, who have been marching with the SPÖ on May 1, decided not to follow this tradition this year. The boycott is a direct reaction to the conviction of İmamoğlus arrested by Mayor Michael Ludwig. According to [the press] (https://www.diepresse.com/19587701/freieviten-boykottier-poe-maiaufmarsch -am-1-mai), the free Alevis have directed a letter to Louis in which they criticize the insufficient public statement of the SPÖ and the recent visits to AKP citizens in Vienna.

criticism of the SPÖ

Koller emphasizes that the first May is a symbol of justice, freedom, freedom and democracy. Her criticism of the Vienna SPÖ also aims at the unclear attitude towards Erdoğan and its government. In the past, there were positive signals to the Turkish community in Austria, which is an important group of voters and shows the possibility that the SPÖ is looking for political proximity to the AKP.

In addition, the detention of İmamoğlu is related to the upcoming presidential elections in 2028, in which he is considered a serious challenger for Erdoğan. Many are considered politically motivated by many, which in the eyes of the Free Alevis is a blatant contradiction to the democratic values ​​of social democracy. This opinion is also shared by Andreas Babler, the SPÖ federal chairman, who has sharply criticized the detention, while Mayor Ludwig has not yet clearly commented.

political implications

The situation illustrates a major problem of political communication and engagement within the SPÖ. The boycott of the Free Alevis could have an impact on the SPÖ voters. The silence of Ludwig is regarded as a contradiction to the democratic basic values ​​of social democracy and could lead to a crack within the supporter base, especially among those who come from the Turkish community.

The current tensions and political developments are reminiscent of the dynamics of new social movements in Austria, which have arisen from social unrest and striving for justice. In the analysis of these movements, as shown in sociological work, it is examined how political systems react to protests and which factors influence social change. It remains to be seen whether the boycott of the free Alevis will cause a broader protest that has a lasting impact on the Austrian political landscape (Uth).