Styria election: FPÖ on the way to the historical triumph?

Styria election: FPÖ on the way to the historical triumph?

The political landscape of Styria is facing an exciting turn: The upcoming state parliament election promises an intensive competition among the parties, especially the FPÖ, ÖVP and SPÖ. Forecasts indicate that the FPÖ could possibly achieve its best result at the state level after winning 32 percent of the vote in the last National Council election in Styria. However, this potential is in contrast to a weakened ÖVP, which can only expect a removal of 36 percent in 2019. At that time, the party benefited strongly from the success of the Bundes-ÖVP under Sebastian Kurz and the charismatic state father Hermann Schützenhöfer. To what extent the new governor Christopher Drexler can do justice to this legacy will be shown on the election day.

for the SPÖ, led by Vizelandeshauptman Anton Lang, the goal of conquering the governor's armchair seems hardly feasible. In addition to the FPÖ, the issue of migration and asylum in voters promises a lot of attention. Sociologist Manfred Prisching refers to the sustainable effect of the 2015 migration movements to the electorate of the FPÖ in Styria. The uncoordinated transitions on the Styrian-Slovenian border have led to many people of the FPÖ facing, which ensures long-term success for the party.

government responsibility under pressure

The SPÖ and ÖVP face a critical mood that results from their government responsibility. According to Politologist Katrin Protnik, both parties try to put their success in certain areas such as childcare and infrastructure. For the SPÖ, social issues are in the foreground, especially the fight against inflation, while the ÖVP focuses more on topics such as security and migration. The FPÖ, on the other hand, can score with the subject of traffic and accuses the state government not to sufficient to expand the heavily overloaded A9 motorway.

Another controversial topic is the planned guideline in Liezen, which is to replace several smaller hospitals. The opposition is closed against the project and shows how much the fronts are hardened in the election campaign. Smaller parties such as the Greens and NEOS continue to fight for their core topics - environmental protection and education - which are difficult to hear in the current political weather situation.

The little parties in the shadow of the big

whether the KPÖ, which is particularly successful in Graz, also arrives in the rest of Styria, remains open. Their focuses, such as living, may not arrive everywhere, while the small parties are literally crushed against the more established parties. The FPÖ top candidate Mario Kunasek could secure the better image than his party leader Herbert Kickl for the freedom. He is described as pragmatic and easy to deal with, which may also give him a look at his political opponents.

The political upheavals in Styria cannot be overlooked. A dissatisfaction - be it through emigration, the loss of traditional jobs or the concerns about migration - drives many voters to the FPÖ, while SPÖ and ÖVP struggle with their renovation measures. This movement on the political map has shaken the trust and stability that the former political heavyweights enjoyed.