VSSTÖ celebrates historical election: Coalition negotiations with grass started!

VSSTÖ celebrates historical election: Coalition negotiations with grass started!

After the election to the Austrian University of Applied Sciences (ÖH) in May 2025, the focus is on the new political constellations in the student parliament. The first round of negotiations between the Association of Socialist Students (VSSTÖ) and the Green and Alternative Students (Grass) is described as constructive and trusting. This could be a signal for a possible coalition of two at the head of the ÖH, which had not been possible for a long time and could give a fresh air to the political climate at the universities.

The VSSTÖ achieved a historical result with 30.16 percent of the vote and secured 18 of the 55 mandates in the Austria -wide student parliament. The VSSTÖ thus put the strongest faction, followed by the ÖVP-related action group (AG), which came to second place with 20.87 percent and reached 12 mandates. The grass, on the other hand, remained stable with 18.21 percent and 11 mandates.

Occupation and election results

Voter turnout rose slightly to 22.09 percent compared to the ÖH election 2023, which corresponds to a participation of around 81,582 students. A total of 346,000 students took part in the election, which took place from May 13th to 15th, 2025. A clear decline in the voter mood was shown by the young liberal students (Junos), who fell to 7.60 percent and 4 mandates, while the student council (Flö) also reached 4 mandates with 6.67 percent. In addition, the communist student associations received 2 mandates each. The Ring Freedom Students (RFS) stagnated at 2.95 percent and secured 1 mandate, while the latest list "Who the F*ck is Herbert?" lost to voices and also received only 1 mandate.

The VSSTÖ skill is particularly noteworthy, which has the first chance of a coalition in the new legislative period. In the last election in 2023, the VSSTÖ's share of the votes was 26.5 percent, while ÖVP-Nahse AG also completed a little weaker at the time. This shift in votes could significantly influence the design of university policy and open a new chapter for the student representative in Austria.

constituent session and outlook

The constituent session of the new ÖH federal representation is scheduled for June 23, 2025, with the new period of function, which begins on July 1, 2025. The upcoming coalition negotiations between VSSTÖ and grass are therefore pursued with interest because they could make the course for future decisions in university policy. The political starting position seems more open than ever, and both students and political observers are excited to see how the negotiations will develop.

This choice not only brings changes in the political landscape of the university representation, but could also have an impact on the students themselves who hope for an active and committed representation of their concerns.

For more information on the election results and the political situation in the universities, take a look at the articles from [Kleine Zeitung] (https://www.kleinezeitung.at/service/newsticker/innengolit. Fm4 and [wikipedia] (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/wahl_zur_%C3%96 Österreichischen_Hochschülerinnschaft_2025).