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 issues should the Green Party prioritize to appeal to Viennese voters?
## What’s Next for Vienna’s Greens?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is political analyst Dr. Schmidt to discuss the recent announcement by Vienna’s Green Party. Dr. Schmidt, the Greens seemed to be riding high after the 2020 election, but their recent national performance was a bit of a setback. What can we expect from them in the upcoming regional elections?
**Dr. Schmidt:** That’s right, the Greens had a remarkable showing in 2020, achieving their best result to date with 14.8 percent. This allowed them to form a coalition government with the SPÖ. [[1](https://www.thelocal.at/20240827/explained-what-the-political-parties-in-austrias-election-race-stand-for)].
However, the national election results were a reality check, reflecting a broader shift away from the Green vote. The party needs to address this downward trend if they want to remain relevant in Viennese politics.
**Host:** So, what factors might be contributing to this decline?
**Dr. Schmidt:** There are several possible explanations. Perhaps voters were disillusioned with the Green’s performance in the national government.
It’s also possible that the Green message isn’t resonating as strongly as it once did, particularly with younger voters who are increasingly concerned about issues like social justice and economic inequality.
**Host:** The Greens have announced they will be electing a new list for the upcoming elections. How might this shake things up?
**Dr. Schmidt:** This is a crucial moment for the party. They need to choose candidates who can connect with voters and articulate a clear vision for the city’s future.
The duo of Pühringer and Kraus have been at the helm since 2020 [[1](https://www.thelocal.at/20240827/explained-what-the-political-parties-in-austrias-election-race-stand-for)]. Will they be able to maintain their foothold? We’ll have to wait and see how the party reshuffles its leadership and adapts its message to win over voters once again.
**Host:** Dr. Schmidt, thank you for providing such insightful analysis. This is certainly a race to watch in the coming months.
