VIENNA. The ÖVP suffered a massive loss of 14 percent of the vote in the national elections for the Austrian Parliament, but will still remain in government. The only question is with whom and for what job.
Afterwards the atmosphere in the ÖVP Lichtenfelsgasse cleared. The expected “photo finish” did not come, the ÖVP Party fell far behind the FPÖ, which reached 29.2 percent, and was about to celebrate a stunning electoral victory. ÖVP Secretary General Christian lobbyist He said the following in his first response: “It’s no secret that we want to be first. However, this will have no personal consequences within the party.”
The Chancellor’s party is trying to be optimistic but he is the biggest loser in the election. A double-digit loss must be digested first.
However, it was the Federal Chancellor, who surprised his electoral party at around 6pm and thus before the first round of the best candidates in parliament Karl NehammerThe result has two serious flaws: First, it is a double-digit drop of almost twelve points, the worst result since 2013. Second, the FPÖ probably failed in its aim to overtaking in the final meters more clearly than expected. At the same time, the FPÖ will achieve the best result in the party’s history and will probably win the election with a clear margin of 29 percent. Nehammer and Herbert Kickl The head-to-head race between them did not happen as seen in the polls. It was a victory from start to finish for Nehammer’s FPÖ rivals.
A celebratory mood with a big minus
However, this was not very noticeable in the atmosphere around and inside the tent. “I can’t get over your disappointment,” Nehammer said as he addressed his supporters and thanked them. They also thanked him with Nehammer’s chant. “But I can reassure you,” he cried out loud.
“More” people will be convinced of what the ÖVP stands for: “attitude” and “reason”. However, this day was also intended to recognize the “achievements and talents” of the FPÖ. However, “what we promised before the election is also valid after the election”. This probably meant rejecting a coalition with Kickl.
Several ÖVP ministers and party leaders were among the thousand or so guests in the ÖVP party tent, which was full by 16:00. August Wöginger also watch the first screening in the front row.
Ministers of Defense Klaudia Tanner, Norbert Totschnig and Martin Polaschek, as well as Minister of State Claudia Plakolm and WKO President Harald Mahrer was also present. former state governor Erwin ProllHe was also present at the ceremony and felt very happy. General Secretary Christian lobbyist “Let’s celebrate anyway,” he shouted to the crowd. In fact, the mood among the guests was quite relaxed, and it got even better after the Chancellor’s visit.
But behind the scenes, the party leadership looked very nervous at the beginning and frustrated at the end. The landslide victory of the Blue Party, which is now floating in the air, has stunned many people. “This country is crazy,” one senior officer shook his head.
like Nehammer Bernhard Ebner General Secretary Stocker, who was responsible for the election campaign, also tried to limit the damage in advance: “The race has yet to catch up,” he said in his first statement on stage. Press representatives began to laugh.
However, the neck-and-neck race might not be settled after all in the early afternoon, when the polls closed in Vorarlberg. Suddenly, a drop of up to 15 points and a result of about 22 percent started spreading in WhatsApp groups. The outcome of the final ÖVP is unlikely to be this disastrous. However, even with a smaller margin, the ÖVP lost a lot. Most of the votes won in 2019 probably went to the FPÖ.
The weakness of the SPÖ, which was also visible on Sunday – it had 20.4 percent as of 5.30pm – was an explanation and a possible justification for the victory of the FPÖ in the ÖVP meetings. “This is not our only weakness,” said one official. “It is also a weakness of Andreas Babler, who lost so many votes to the FPÖ,” he said.
According to the news given by Kurier, the first shock went around 6 o’clock in the afternoon. Crazy crowd in front of and inside the tent: Chancellor Karl Nehammer He took the stage much earlier than expected. He spoke of the “race to catch up.” He overtook the ÖVP in the polls with 21 percent. “For the future, we need to look more closely at why radicals get more votes,” Nehammer said.
Nehammer wants to take a stand and solve problems: “This is not a party slogan, it’s our identity.” Nehammer, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl He rejected the coalition again and said, “What we promised before the election is also valid after the election.”
One thing is certain: ÖVP will also be in the next government. Since all other parties do not accept the FPÖ as a partner, there is no mathematical way for him to be in government without the ÖVP
Nehammer “only” FPÖ leader during an election campaign Herbert Kickl He ruled out cooperation with the FPÖ in general. When the electoral programs are compared, the ÖVPÖ can also form a government agreement with the FPÖ. Andreas Babbler It will be easier than making a government agreement with him. First of all, the ÖVP-FPÖ economic policy programs are almost compatible.
Among the guests of the ÖVP party, there are also people who are in favor of cooperating again with the FPÖi. A former minister from the ÖVP is of the opinion that the SPÖ or a tripartite arrangement would stagnate the Austrian economy.
big losses
One thing is clear: ÖVP suffered huge losses. Exactly five years ago, on September 29, 2019, they achieved a stunning victory with 37.46%. “We’re still celebrating,” says Stocker. Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg “The world keeps turning,” he says. Both are aware that there has been great turmoil in the party since 2019.
Former Prime Minister of Austria Federal Chancellor Sebastian KurzHe resigned on October 9, 2021, due to corruption investigations regarding the “ÖVP poll issue”. His successor, Schallenberg, did not live long, so Nehammer took over as Prime Minister on 6 December 2021.
In general, Nehammer, who is 51 years old, performed his role with a calm and statesmanlike demeanor, unlike his previous harsh comments as ÖVP Secretary General or as Minister of Internal Affairs.
Political observers also did not rule out the possibility that the flood disaster and Nehammer’s solid performance as a “crisis manager” could have influenced the elections in favor of the ÖVP. The familiar argument: In times of crisis, people tend to rally behind leaders. Hope is unrealized.
The election program has been known since January
Nehammer laid out the cornerstones of his program with his “Austrian Plan” speech on 26 January. ÖVP wants to reduce taxes and fees, especially non-wage labor costs. At the same time, full-time work should pay better in the future.
Savings are expected from measures related to the reform of unemployment insurance and social assistance, in which those entitled to asylum in the ÖVP model will only have full rights after five years.
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Maria Weiss, an expert in Austrian political affairs. Dr. Weiss, thank you for joining us after the recent national elections in Austria. The results for the ÖVP were quite surprising, weren’t they?
Dr. Weiss: Thank you for having me. Yes, indeed, the ÖVP experienced a significant loss of 14 percent of the vote, which has certainly created ripples in Austrian politics. This is the worst result for the party since 2013, and it reflects a broader discontent among the electorate.
Interviewer: The FPÖ seems to have captured a substantial amount of those discontented votes, with their best results in history at 29.2 percent. What do you think contributed to this electoral shift?
Dr. Weiss: Several factors played a role. The FPÖ capitalized on dissatisfaction with the current government, especially regarding issues like immigration and economic concerns. Their messaging resonated with voters who felt overlooked by traditional parties. Meanwhile, the ÖVP’s decline highlights significant weaknesses in their campaign strategy and perhaps a disconnect with the citizens’ priorities.
Interviewer: You mentioned the ÖVP’s campaign strategy. In the wake of this electoral defeat, how do you see Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s role evolving?
Dr. Weiss: Nehammer’s position is precarious. While he has expressed optimism, the reality is that he carries the weight of being the biggest loser in these elections. His ability to navigate a coalition – especially given his earlier rejection of partnering with the FPÖ – will be crucial. He’ll need to address the party’s internal concerns and possibly recalibrate their approach to regain voters’ trust.
Interviewer: It seems there’s a strategic tension within the ÖVP. On one hand, they have figures like Nehammer who want to distance themselves from the FPÖ; on the other, there are voices within the party advocating for a coalition. How might this internal conflict affect the party’s future?
Dr. Weiss: It’s a significant challenge. If the ÖVP continues to reject a coalition with the FPÖ, they risk further alienating their base, which may feel that the party is out of touch. Conversely, a coalition with the FPÖ could polarize their supporters. Balancing these dynamics will determine if the ÖVP can maintain governmental influence or may face further decline.
Interviewer: Nehammer stated that he sees a need to understand why radical parties are gaining traction. What should be the ÖVP’s priority moving forward?
Dr. Weiss: Understanding voter sentiment is crucial. The ÖVP needs to engage with its constituents, acknowledging their concerns and addressing them head-on. This means more than just policy proposals – it requires genuine outreach and communication to show that the party is listening and responsive. Building a platform that resonates with a broader range of voters is essential.
Interviewer: what do you think will be the long-term impact of these elections on Austrian politics?
Dr. Weiss: This election may signal a shift toward greater fragmentation in Austrian politics. With the FPÖ gaining ground, we might see more polarized discourse and a potential reshaping of coalitions in the future. The challenges posed by voter discontent and the rise of populist sentiments will require all parties, not just the ÖVP, to adapt and redefine their strategies to remain relevant.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Weiss. It will be interesting to see how the ÖVP and the broader political landscape adapt to these changes in the coming months.
Dr. Weiss: Thank you for having me. I look forward to observing these developments as well.