ÖVP-Wien in the crisis: Mahrer is fighting for charges and survey lows!

ÖVP-Wien in the crisis: Mahrer is fighting for charges and survey lows!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - The Viennese ÖVP faces a councilual challenge! Party leader Karl Mahrer was most recently nominated as the top candidate for the municipal council election on April 27, while at the same time there is a severe infidelity in the room. According to W24 , the party leadership has decided to put Mahrer at the top of the list, despite the serious allegations that were made against him and his wife. He is accused of having acted as a connecting person to a PR consulting business that has received high sums from a real estate developer without providing the corresponding services. Mahrer rejected all allegations and emphasized that they wanted to win the confidence of the Viennese.

The situation becomes more complex due to the intensive criticism from outside. Lukas Brucker, state party secretary of the Viennese FPÖ, attacked Mahrer sharply by addressing the conditions within the ÖVP. According to APA-OTE , the ÖVP is strongly involved in the discussion about migration and integration. Among other things, it was criticized that Mahrer and the ÖVP have taken over parts of their district groups from Afghan migrants. Brucker pulled a clear dividing line between integrated immigrants and social -asylum seekers from crisis regions and questioned the ÖVP's commitment with regard to political Islam.

Are Mahrers being overshadowed by the allegations?

The difficulties of the Viennese ÖVP are remarkable. While the party was considered a major winner in the last elections in 2020, current surveys are now showing a worrying minus. Mahrer is under pressure, whereby the party -internal voices already bring alternatives into conversation, while some well -known faces will no longer stand for election. In view of these turbulent circumstances, it will be a huge challenge for Mahrer and his team to regain the favor of voters in the upcoming election campaign.