Styria election: Guide for the future of ÖVP and SPÖ?

Styria election: Guide for the future of ÖVP and SPÖ?

in Styria, the political mood is bubbling while the parties are preparing for the upcoming state elections. While in the “Green Mark” at events and in markets, the citizens are busy, the exploratory negotiations between the ÖVP and SPÖ will run in Vienna. Around six weeks after the National Council election, the question of the coalition in the federal government is still unclear, which puts the political actors under pressure in Styria.

Walter Hämmerle, a political analyst from the “Kleine Zeitung”, gives an urgent outlook: the FPÖ could benefit from the uncertainty that hovers over the negotiations. "The longer the confusion lasts in Vienna, the less sympathy it will bring for the ÖVP and the SPÖ in Styria," he explains, referring to the previous election results that the FPÖ received.

blue wave or black and red hope?

The political spectacle was initiated in the run -up to the elections by the FPÖ, which bumps into a positive trend. In the state election in Tirol 2022, the party was able to record 3.3 percent and also the elections in Vorarlberg brought the FPÖ considerable success. According to Hämmerle, there is a certain habituation effect that could favor the freedom in Styria. ÖVP candidate Drexler and SPÖ top candidate Lang are combative, but know about the challenges of their party leaders at the federal level.

Drexler, who has headed the ÖVP since taking office in July 2022, expressed itself optimistically: "I am used to not having a tailwind out of the covenant. It would be nice if there would be at least windless." He strives for a continuation of the coalition with the SPÖ, while for a long time, he wants to win the support of the voters without being influenced by the federal political arguments. "People differentiate: this is federal policy and that is Styrian politics," explains Lang.

federal policy bonds and their effects

The gap between the state election and federal policy could prove to be advantageous for the FPÖ top candidate Kunasek. At a campaign appearance in Leibnitz, it was no less than Herbert Kickl, who described him as the "Volkslandschaftmann" and thus underlined the state political ambitions of the FPÖ. Kickl brought the federal level to the election campaign: "I am the lawyer of 1.4 million freedom voters," he announced.

Hämmerle warns of hastily conclusions and emphasizes that there has been a lack of clear challenge scenarios in Styria for years. "The race seems to be scarce," he says. The changing election winners could indicate that the FPÖ, who recently had strong voting profits, could get back behind if the requirements change.

How the elections will end in the tranquil but politically charged climate of Styria remains exciting. Despite the federal political influences, it seems that voters in Styria are rating to the candidates of the ÖVP, SPÖ and FPÖ primarily to their understanding of local concerns. The coming weeks will show whether the freedom can take the opportunity to gain influence in a traditionally black federal state.

Together with the ongoing political rope pull in the federal capital, this election campaign will not only be important for Styria, but also for the federal political landscape. If the FPÖ won the elections, this could strengthen another trend in its favor, which could become uncomfortable for the established parties in Vienna. The election in Styria could finally shake the federal political morality and cause new coalition ideas. The next steps will have to be carefully weighed up in order not to lose in the public opinion that has become increasingly unpredictable in recent months.