SPÖ election campaign: Ludwig fights against the FPÖ and for Vienna!

SPÖ election campaign: Ludwig fights against the FPÖ and for Vienna!

Viktor-Adler-Markt, 1100 Wien, Österreich - On April 25, 2025, the SPÖ held its election campaign for the Vienna election on the Viktor-Adler market in favorites. Under the rain and with many listeners who wore rain ponchos and kept umbrellas, Vienna's mayor and SPÖ candidate Michael Ludwig appealed to the voters to continue to remain in office. The election campaign ended in a special context, since Ludwig demanded a clear distance from the FPÖ and decided that the SPÖ would never enter into a coalition with this party, neither at federal nor at the state level. He also criticized the use of "Nazijargon" by an FPÖ mandate and referred to a convicted FPÖ candidate.

The achievements of the Vienna SPÖ were the focus of Ludwig's speech. He emphasized that the party has taken significant measures, including anti-control measures, a climate protection law, the introduction of a free all-day school and a rental price stop in the municipal building. He also emphasized the good cooperation with the social partners and proudly pointed out that the SPÖ was not behind other parties in education and climate protection. Vienna is considered the most livable city.

cohesion and electoral policy

An important point in Ludwig's speech was the unity within the SPÖ. The federal party leader Andreas Babler was also present, but did not take the stage. Ludwig named the support of Babler as crucial for the upcoming election. Vice Mayor Kathrin Gaál stated that strong social democracy is needed to counteract a possible destruction of democracy.

In the broader political landscape, the climatic challenges are the focus of the election programs of the individual parties. The SPÖ has presented together with the Greens and now the proposal of a climate goose that contains the annual network card for public transport. The price should be up to 3 euros for a federal state from 1 euro per day and up to 3 euros for all of Austria, financed by a climate fund of 100 million euros. For the SPÖ, an ecologization of the commuter flat rate and investments in public transport is planned.

competition for climate protection

comparable initiatives can also be found in the programs of the other parties. The ÖVP relies on investments in hydrogen technologies and suggests using hydrogen cars in areas where fossil fuels cannot be replaced. However, critical voices became sound that indicates the inefficiency of hydrogen cars compared to electric cars. NEOS, on the other hand, calls for a CO2 tax and plans a comprehensive tax reform to significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

The FPÖ has proposed an environmental bonus of 3,000 euros for the purchase of a new car against the scrapping of an old vehicle. Their budget approach provides to replace 70,000 cars per year, but there are consideration that the low emission limit could only have limited positive effects on the CO2 balance. Overall, the parties' election programs show that they remain behind the necessary measures to achieve the climate goals, and there is potential for cooperation across party borders in climate policy.

The information provided in this election consultation reflects the views and challenges of the Viennese parties and show the area of ​​tension between the pursuit of climate -relevant goals and the political views that will play a significant role in the upcoming choice.

Further information can be found at vienna.at, orf.at global2000.at.