On Sunday, the “swing state” proved itself: as in the federal government, the FPÖ moved into first place in Styria, ahead of the Styrian coalition partners ÖVP and SPÖ.
Styrian politicians therefore analyzed the results of the National Council elections particularly carefully, because: in Exactly eight weeks The new state parliament will be elected here. The State Governor appeared for the first time Christopher Drexler (ÖVP) as primary candidate and his SPÖ as deputy candidate Anton LongDrexler is particularly a supporter of the black-red alliance, a duo that appears together in particularly visible and frequent (media) encounters.
It comes close to black and red
But judging by the recent election results, it is clear that it will be difficult to continue the current partnership called “Agenda White-Green” established in 2019 under the then ÖVP regional leader. Hermann Schutzenhofer had begun.
Because the FPÖ is also at the top in Styria Inquiries related to financial matters The Blues in Cross were apparently rejected and played no part in the electorate.
What is the FPÖ planning?
The public prosecutor’s office has been investigating the alleged embezzlement of FPÖ club funds from Graz for almost three years now. One of the accused State party leader Mario KunacekA top candidate again this year in Styria: He was accused of not filming malversations in Graz – an allegation of complicity that Kunacek categorically denies.
Kunacek has already said that if the FPÖ wins the state elections first, others will. Parties to Coalition Negotiations Must call: Unlike the federal government, no commission is required in a federal state.
The KPÖ in Styria had a vote share of around 2.3 percent on Sunday evening, and its figure was 95 percent (still excluding Graz).
No Kahr effect
The The Graz Kahr effect did not occur: Styrian top candidate of the Communists, They have WisiakHe previously hoped to retain Graz voters, which brought the KPÖ around 34,000 votes in the 2021 local council elections. About 26,000 votes are required Via Graz Grundmandant in the National Council Coming up, that would be about 11 percent of the vote. EU election results in Styria in June gave hope to the Communists, with the KPÖ at 9 percent.
This again shows the presence of the KPÖ in Styria Cross specific has Even in state elections – the KPÖ has been sitting in the Styrian state parliament again since 2005 – it has never been as strong in the Graz electoral district as in local council elections. 2019 In the local council elections in Graz he won 6 percent and two mandates 2021 However, 28 percent.
The Greens also have to accept losses in Styria compared to 2019, which is no different from the whole of Austria. Like the Knights in the league Neos and Greens 4th and 5th place it is in the league KPÖ The fact that Graz is governed by a KPÖ city leader and communists sit in the state parliament is not a factor here.
Gross, unpredictable as ever
But as always, Cross strikes. Because with someone The SPÖ had 60 percent of the vote In the first place, the FPÖ Not only based on the federal results, but also surprisingly: the SPÖ finished fifth in the 2021 local council elections with 9.5 percent of the vote, and third behind the ÖVP in the 2019 state elections. and 15.4 percent green.