On -site climate crisis: Floods in Deutschfeistritz and the voter trends

On -site climate crisis: Floods in Deutschfeistritz and the voter trends

In June 2024, the Styrian community of Deutschfeibstritz experienced a disaster that many residents met: unprepared inside. The evil stream, which normally splashes peacefully, turned into a dangerous flood of fall due to violent storms. On June 8th and 9th, up to 100 liters of precipitation per square meter, which led to a flood that only occurs once every 300 years. The situation was so serious that some polling stations for the EU parliamentary election had to be laid at short notice, since there was no choice in the catchment area of the evil.

experts like Georg Pistotnik from Geosphere Austria said that such extreme weather events are strongly connected to climate change. This is particularly alarming because the temperatures in the region have increased by an average of three degrees since 1970. This change makes Deutschfeistritz more susceptible to storms and floods, which fuels the discussion about climate change in political space.

voter behavior and election results

In the elections to the EU in June and the National Council elections in September, the FPÖ obtained, while the Greens received lower votes. Despite the direct experience with the consequences of climate change, many citizens seem to not give the corresponding political support in the region of this ecological challenge. The FPÖ achieved 35 percent of the votes in the EU election and 39 percent in the National Council election, even though its political line often denies climate change and references scientists.

The situation becomes even more complicated by the evocitionals that the inhabitants combine: inside with the elections. Some citizens such as Daniel Spielhofer, whose mill was badly damaged by the flood and reported on damage of 200,000 to 300,000 euros, emphasize that they choose primarily for financial dissatisfaction. These citizens often give the FPÖ their voice to express their displeasure with the existing conditions, and less from an ideological conviction of climate and environmental policy.

Michael Viertler, Mayor of the community, observes the voters: inside and finds that the topic of climate change is hardly discussed in everyday life. Other topics such as inflation and migration are more of the foreground. "Of course this does something with you personally," he says of the flood and its effects, but his view of climate change has not been changed. He does not believe that the Greens could benefit from the flood disaster.

emotions and election results

Social science research on crises and its effects on voter behavior shows that extreme weather events can influence the political climate, but do not necessarily lead to a change in party preferences. "A full basement does not make a traditional FPÖ voter to a Greens," explains political scientist Julia Parthymüller. Many people are already defined in elections, and the influence of extreme events on voter behavior is often only of short duration.

Professor Thomas Slunecko adds that in the event of disasters, anger often occurs in response, but which can also turn back into resentment. These emotions could be exploited by political actors, which has so far successfully practiced right parties. In times of crises, perception could be that life is decayed, the perspectives of the voters: influence inside.

On November 24, 2024, the next election for the Styrian state parliament is scheduled. The surveys show the FPÖ again. It remains to be seen whether the current extreme weather events actually lead to a rethink in the population or whether the voters: inside continue to follow the common narratives.

The signs are on FPÖ, and while the climate crisis is becoming increasingly visible, many citizens do not believe that the Greens will benefit from the latest experiences in the future. The reality shows that the financial damage that the citizens had to carry inside weigh more heavily than the signs of a climate -protecting political change.