Despite the high summer, the parties are preparing intensively for the National Council elections on September 29. On Thursday, the Freedom Party, SPÖ and Communists set priorities.
The FPÖ now wants to “turn up the volume”. Local and regional groups throughout Austria are organizing “Homeland Summer” events with a focus on customs, crafts and folk music, announced General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz at a press conference.
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The “spearhead” will be party leader Herbert Kickl. The election campaign will officially begin in the first or second week of September. The FPÖ’s aim is “clearly first place,” said Schnedlitz. The polls are currently looking good, “but nothing has been won yet.”
“Starving Piggy Bank”
The ÖVP is within striking distance, so a “show of strength” is needed together with the voters.
Schnedlitz does not believe that the People’s Party or the SPÖ will catch up with Kickl. The blue party leader enjoys more trust among the electorate than his competitors, and that is crucial.
Photo: HELMUT FOHRINGER (APA)
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Photo: HELMUT FOHRINGER (APA)
The SPÖ accused the black-green government of leaving behind a “budget disaster”. The red finance spokesman Jan Krainer warned of social devastation in the event of an FPÖ-VP coalition after the National Council elections. If the SPÖ comes into government, it will put all of the current coalition’s projects that do not have counter-financing up for discussion. He cited the reduction in corporate tax as an example.
The current federal government has “starved Austria’s piggy bank.” Under a black-blue government, cuts in pensions, health and education are to be expected.
KPÖ top candidate Tobias Schweiger said at a street demonstration in Salzburg that entering parliament in the autumn was realistic. “Two polls put the KPÖ at around four percent. It will be close. But if everyone who wants us in parliament votes for us, then we can do it.”
When it comes to issues such as affordable housing and social issues, “strong pressure from below” is necessary at the federal level. This is the only way everyday life will become affordable for many people again.
