Hopes were high when the bourgeois parties ÖVP, Für Innsbruck and the Senior Citizens’ Association came together in October 2023 to form an alliance known as New England. The aim was to win back the mayor’s chair that was lost to the Greens. As it happened now, at an exorbitantly high price.
To withdraw from Turkish
Former Digital State Secretary Tursky (ÖVP) entered the race as the main candidate. But he had to accept electoral defeat. The alliance received only four mandates in the 40-member local council. Tursky then withdrew only to return to Vienna as ÖVP coordinator, according to media reports.
Tursky left the alliance with a mountain of campaign costs totaling 1.1 million euros. Campaign manager Matthias Weger confirmed this on Wednesday when asked by ORF. The goals were completely different. Now the question remains how the costs will be paid. Because even if, according to party headquarters, “everything is fully funded,” there probably isn’t enough money for other activities.
According to the ÖVP, all costs are covered
The People’s Party in Tyrone said on Thursday that all costs were covered and that they had no financial difficulties. It has already been agreed that the alliance partners Innsbruck People’s Party, For Innsbruck and the Seniors’ Association as well as the state party ÖVP will make contributions.
Thanks to the reimbursement of campaign costs from the city of Innsbruck, it is possible to create a “financial cause” for future election campaigns. In any case, the Innsbruck People’s Party is ”debt-free,” said Tursky, who remains chairman of the city’s party. He did not accept his local council mandate and instead announced that he would leave politics and would not continue to run the city party until it was moved in an orderly manner.
SPÖ demand a ceiling of 300,000 euros
The chairman of the SPÖ Innsbruck, Benjamin Plach, took this as an opportunity to ask for campaign cost caps and transparency guidelines. Unfortunately, as a city, we have no legal ability to impose such a cap ourselves, which is why a voluntary commitment from all parties is required.
“So we are again proposing a limit of 300,000 euros – with a corresponding valuation,” said Plach. A transparency guideline in the future contract has been agreed and is currently being drafted.
Lukas Schobesberger, spokesman for NEOS Innsbruck, also called for full and timely financial disclosure for all political actors. Citizens have a right to know how the parties handle taxpayers’ money.
Interview Between the Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to our special political segment. Today, we’re diving into the recent developments in local politics in Austria, specifically around the New England alliance formed by the ÖVP, Für Innsbruck, and the Senior Citizens’ Association. Joining us is political expert Dr. Clara Müller. Dr. Müller, thank you for being here today!
Dr. Clara Müller: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be discussing such intriguing developments in Austrian politics.
Time.news Editor: Let’s get right into it. When this alliance was formed in October 2023, expectations were high. What do you think led to such optimism among the bourgeois parties?
Dr. Clara Müller: The optimism stemmed from a few factors. First and foremost, the goal was clear: to reclaim the mayor’s chair lost to the Greens. The alliance portrayed themselves as a unified front strong enough to counter the increasing influence of the Green Party. They believed that by pooling their resources and support, they could effectively mobilize voters who might be disillusioned with the existing leadership.
Time.news Editor: However, their hopes were dashed when former Digital State Secretary Tursky suffered an electoral defeat. What do you think were the main factors behind this outcome?
Dr. Clara Müller: Several elements contributed to this outcome. Tursky was a well-known figure, but perhaps he underestimated the loyalty of the electorate to the Greens and their platform. Additionally, the financial burden of the campaign, reported to be an astonishing 1.1 million euros, could have been a double-edged sword. A costly campaign often brings in heightened expectations, which may lead to disappointment if the results do not meet those expectations.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of that 1.1 million euros campaign cost, it raises questions about financial management within the alliance. Can you elaborate on the implications of this debt?
Dr. Clara Müller: Absolutely. The high campaign costs can be detrimental for any political alliance, especially if funds are not allocated properly. The announcement that the campaign is “fully funded” may not necessarily provide comfort. If that funding comes at the expense of resources for other essential activities, such as community outreach or future campaigns, it could hinder their effectiveness moving forward. This raises concerns about the sustainability and viability of the alliance as a political entity.
Time.news Editor: Tursky’s return to Vienna as the ÖVP coordinator seems to signify a shift in strategy. How significant is this change for the future of the ÖVP?
Dr. Clara Müller: Tursky’s return may indicate a recognition of the need for a reassessment of strategies within the ÖVP. By stepping back from the local fiasco, he can refocus on broader efforts at the federal level where the party might still have stronger support. This could be a tactical retreat, allowing the party to regroup and develop a more effective approach to regain trust and influence among voters.
Time.news Editor: As we look ahead, what should the New England alliance do next to salvage their political future?
Dr. Clara Müller: They need to engage deeply with their constituents. Listening to voter concerns and adjusting their platform to reflect those will be crucial. They also might consider restructuring their campaign approach to emphasize transparency regarding financial matters and resource allocation. Establishing a connection with the electorate is essential to regain credibility and support.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Müller, for your insights on this unfolding political landscape. It’s clear that the road ahead for the New England alliance is fraught with challenges but also opportunities for reflection and realignment.
Dr. Clara Müller: Thank you for having me. It will be fascinating to watch how they adapt in the coming months.
Time.news Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in! We’ll be following this story closely as it develops. Until next time!