The party announced this in a press conference on Wednesday. The list will be elected at a state assembly next February. Pühringer is currently leading the party together with Peter Kraus, who is applying for second place on the list.
The Pühringer-Kraus duo has been in office since May 202. Predecessor Birgit Hebein was removed from the party after the 2020 Vienna election. After the election, the SPÖ decided to work with the NEOS – after red-green Vienna had ruled Vienna for two legislative periods.
The 2020 election result was certainly positive for the Greens. They were able to achieve their best result to date with 14.8 percent. The most recent National Council election in Vienna was much more sobering. The Eco Party lost 8.4 percentage points. It came in fourth place with 12.3 percent, just ahead of the NEOS.
What changes can the Vienna Greens make to regain voter support, according to Dr. Schmidt?
## Interview: Vienna Greens Reeling After Election Losses
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is Austrian political analyst, Dr. Greta Schmidt, to discuss the recent struggles of the Vienna Greens. Dr. Schmidt, thanks for being here.
**Dr. Schmidt:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** As our viewers know, the Greens lost significant ground in the most recent National Council election in Vienna. After achieving their best result ever in 2020, they dropped to fourth place. What are your thoughts on this outcome?
**Dr. Schmidt:** It’s certainly a setback for the party. After their strong showing in 2020, many expected them to continue growing. However, the 2024 election revealed a stark reality – voters are reconsidering their allegiance, likely due to a combination of factors.
**Host:** Can you elaborate on those factors?
**Dr. Schmidt:** I believe several elements contributed to the loss. The Green’s coalition with the SPÖ might have alienated some voters who preferred a stronger opposition. Additionally, the changing political landscape, with the rise of the far right, may have pulled votes away from the Greens.
**Host:** Looking ahead, with party leadership duo Michael Pühringer and Peter Kraus running for re-election in February, what changes can we expect from the Vienna Greens?
**Dr. Schmidt:** It’s clear the party needs to address these challenges head-on. Whether Pühringer and Kraus can implement the necessary changes remains to be seen. They will need to re-energize their base, possibly by focusing on local issues and appealing to younger voters concerned about the environment and social justice.
**Host:** This election certainly indicates a volatile political climate in Vienna. Dr. Schmidt, thank you for your insights.
**Dr. Schmidt:** My pleasure.
