Election campaign in Vorarlberg: Who will conquer the town halls in the west?

Election campaign in Vorarlberg: Who will conquer the town halls in the west?

Big political changes are coming in Vorarlberg next month. The local council elections will take place on March 16, 2025, which are considered the first test for the traffic light government. The FPÖ expects electoral success and hoped to expand its five mayors. The SPÖ currently has four local leaders and the Greens two. The ÖVP, long the dominant force in the region, is confronted with a new reality in the larger cities. In four out of five cities it has a relative majority, but not an absolute majority. This means that decisions are not possible without the support of other groups oe24.at reported.

Important runoff elections and challenges

The elections bring with them numerous runoff elections, including in the state capital Bregenz, where the SPÖ is currently in charge, as well as in Bludenz and Feldkirch. In Bludenz, the incumbent mayor Simon Tschann from the ÖVP, whose conviction for abuse of office could potentially influence the election, and the SPÖ man Mario Leiter face each other. The situation is similar in Feldkirch, where the FPÖ deputy mayor Andrea Kerbleder is given good chances. The political landscapes in Dornbirn and Lustenau are also being reshuffled, as long-time ÖVP mayors are no longer running for election. The FPÖ could also gain traction in these cities, like vorarlberg.orf.at reported.

The trend is away from the absolute dominance of the ÖVP, as parties such as the FPÖ, SPÖ and Greens are also gaining more influence and taking over mayoral positions. If the trend continues, it could permanently change the political climate in Vorarlberg. It is very likely that voters will be in for some exciting and revealing results in the coming weeks that will determine the future direction of regional politics.