Vienna Election 2025: Three-way battle for second place – who will be the junior partner?

Vienna Election 2025: Three-way battle for second place – who will be the junior partner?

On April 7, 2025, Vienna will be dominated by the upcoming election, in which the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) is expected to be able to defend its first place. The current mayor, Michael Ludwig, will most likely remain in office. However, experts are analyzing an exciting competition between the NEOS, the ÖVP and the Greens for the position of junior partner in the city government. The opposite of this is that the NEOS have the best chances, while the Greens are in a less promising situation oe24.at reported.

Political scientist Peter Filzmaier states that the SPÖ must aim for around 40 percent of the vote in order to secure a majority of seats. A result of just under 40 percent could possibly be sufficient. The symbolic significance of third place is palpable as it could be crucial for future coalition building. How ORF Vienna emphasizes, the Lobau Tunnel issue could benefit the Greens in the election campaign, but this could act as a hurdle in the coalition negotiations.

Competition for coalitions

While the FPÖ is recording predicted gains, it still remains below the potential it achieved in 2015 with over 30 percent. Ludwig rules out a coalition with the FPÖ, which could make it much more difficult for the SPÖ to mobilize voters. This mobilization represents the biggest challenge for the SPÖ. However, the earlier election date could be positive for the SPÖ as the effects of budget consolidation will be felt more clearly.

Despite difficulties caused by a short-term change in the top candidate, the NEOS have a good chance of forming a coalition with the SPÖ. In contrast, the ÖVP is cautious and would have to make personnel changes in order to be considered as a possible coalition partner. The negative experience from the red-green government has a detrimental effect on the position of the Greens, while the KPÖ, if it were to enter the local council, could make coalition options even more difficult. Positive news for the SPÖ is that the beer party is not running, which reduces competition. In addition, ex-FPÖ leader Heinz-Christian Strache and his list have little chance of success.

Right to vote for Austrians abroad

Another interesting facet of the election concerns Austrian citizens with their main residence abroad. They can have themselves entered in the (European) voter register of their last municipality. Austrians living abroad are eligible to vote if they reach the age of 16 on election day, are not excluded from the right to vote and are registered in the voter register of an Austrian municipality, according to information from wien.gv.at.

These voters who will not be in Austria on election day rely on voting cards, which can be applied for for each election. Alternatively, you have the option of submitting a request for automatic delivery of absentee ballots. Communication with the Vienna Voters Register is uncomplicated. An email with the required documents is sufficient to receive the voting card. This ensures that the votes of Austrians living abroad can also be included in the electoral process.