For the “election campaign kick-off,” Vienna’s Steffl Arena ice rink was bathed in turquoise. At noon, ÖVP top candidate and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer will give a speech. At the beginning, club leader August Wöginger praised the “best top candidate,” while on the left a “communist” and on the right “a dangerous person” would be running.
While things were initially quite lively on the forecourt with tractors and brass music, the ice rink was set to an American election campaign style that was once imported by former party leader Sebastian Kurz. After a video in which Nehammer staged himself as Chancellor, the amateur boxer entered the hall to the sounds of “Eye of the Tiger” and was accompanied by a standing ovation.
As expected, all kinds of ÖVP celebrities from the government team and the state parties attended. Former party leaders Michael Spindelegger, Josef Pröll and Josef Riegler also did the honors, and Sebastian Kurz sent a video greeting.
“Run, run, run – and convince, convince, convince”
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“Run, run, run – and convince, convince, convince,” was the order given by EU representative Reinhold Lopatka for the last few weeks before the election. Although the polls have been showing the FPÖ in first place for months, the ÖVP is in a good mood and confident. Internal polls show that the gap to the Blues is so small that it could still be overcome, they say. The party assumes that the close result between the FPÖ and ÖVP in the EU elections in June has also motivated the officials that it is definitely worth running in the National Council election campaign.
Club leader Wöginger also referred to this in his speech. “We will decide this National Council election for our people’s party.” The ÖVP has a “good track record” in “difficult times”, has a plan and “by far the best top candidate for this National Council election”. The comparison with the other parties makes it safe – because “now the communist is running on the left,” said Wöginger, referring to SPÖ top candidate Andreas Babler. “He should bury his communist mothballs,” Wöginger shouted to the officials. “On the other hand, there is a dangerous person,” Wöginger added in reference to FPÖ top candidate Herbert Kickl. If one speaks of an “inbreeding party” in connection with the Salzburg Festival, “if one does not distance oneself from the Identitarians, from Hitler balconies, then that is not acceptable in a democracy.” In reference to the blue poster “Thy will be done”, he asked himself, “what should the next poster look like?” said Wöginger. “You can’t vote for that one.”
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder, a big Star Wars fan, also warned against the Freedom Party in a video message: “The FPÖ is the dark side of power, the ÖVP is the light side of power – may the force be with you!”
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Austria political party in power
Austria’s Election Campaign Heats Up: ÖVP Kicks Off with American-Style Rally
As Austria prepares for its upcoming parliamentary elections, the ÖVP (Austrian People’s Party) has kicked off its campaign with a grand, American-style rally at Vienna’s Steffl Arena ice rink. The event, which drew comparisons to a US-style election campaign, saw ÖVP top candidate and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer deliver a speech amidst a lively atmosphere.
The rally, which featured tractors and brass music on the forecourt, was attended by ÖVP celebrities from the government team and state parties. Former party leaders Michael Spindelegger, Josef Pröll, and Josef Riegler were present, and Sebastian Kurz sent a video greeting. The event was set to an American election campaign style, which was once imported by former party leader Sebastian Kurz.
Confidence and Determination
Despite polls showing the FPÖ (Freedom Party of Austria) in first place for months, the ÖVP is in a good mood and confident. Internal polls indicate that the gap between the FPÖ and ÖVP is small enough to be overcome, and the party believes that the close result between the FPÖ and ÖVP in the EU elections in June has motivated officials to make a strong push in the National Council election campaign.
Club leader August Wöginger emphasized the ÖVP’s “good track record” in “difficult times,” citing the party’s plan and “by far the best top candidate” in Nehammer. Wöginger also took aim at the SPÖ (Social Democratic Party of Austria) and FPÖ, labeling the former as “communist” and the latter as “dangerous.”
Democratic Concerns
Wöginger’s comments highlight concerns about the rise of far-right parties in Austria. The country has a reputation for being a democratic bastion, with a system of government that guarantees political rights and civil liberties [[1]]. However, the increasing popularity of parties like the FPÖ has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic values.
The EU representative, Reinhold Lopatka, echoed Wöginger’s sentiments, urging the ÖVP to “run, run, run – and convince, convince, convince” in the coming weeks. Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder, a Star Wars fan, also warned against the Freedom Party in a video message, likening them to the “dark side of power.”
European Elections as a Precursor
The upcoming parliamentary elections in Austria come on the heels of the European elections, which saw the ÖVP and FPÖ competing closely [[2]]. The elections will take place in September, with the ÖVP seeking to maintain its grip on power. As the campaign season heats up, the ÖVP is banking on its strong track record and popular top candidate to secure a win.
Austria’s parliamentary elections will be closely watched, not just in Austria but across Europe. The country’s democratic reputation and its ability to balance competing interests will be put to the test. As the campaign season unfolds, one thing is certain – the stakes are high, and the outcome will have significant implications for Austria and beyond.
References:
[1] Freedom House. (2024). Austria: Freedom in the World 2024 Country Report. Retrieved from
[2] European Parliament. (2024). 2024 European election results | Austria. Retrieved from
[3] CIDOB. (2024). Austria: a shift to the right as a prelude to the parliamentary elections in September. Retrieved from
Austrian People’s party ideology
ÖVP: The Austrian People’s Party in Power
The ÖVP, or Austrian People’s Party, has been a dominant force in Austrian politics for decades. With a rich history and a strong presence in the country’s parliament, the ÖVP has been a key player in shaping Austria’s political landscape.
The ÖVP’s Existential Crisis
However, in recent years, the ÖVP has been facing an existential crisis [[2]]. The party has been struggling to maintain its grip on power, facing challenges from other parties and internal divisions. The party’s leadership has been criticized for its handling of various issues, including corruption allegations and its stance on immigration.
The Current Political Landscape
Today, the ÖVP is one of the five political parties represented in the Austrian Parliament [[1]]. The party is currently led by Karl Nehammer, who serves as the Federal Chancellor of Austria. The ÖVP is known for its center-right ideology and has traditionally been a strong supporter of European integration.
The Election Campaign Kick-Off
The ÖVP recently kicked off its election campaign with a lavish event at Vienna’s Steffl Arena ice rink. The party’s top candidate, Karl Nehammer, addressed the crowd, accompanied by a standing ovation and an American-style election campaign atmosphere. The event was attended by various ÖVP celebrities, including former party leaders Michael Spindelegger, Josef Pröll, and Josef Riegler.
“Run, Run, Run – and Convince, Convince, Convince”
The ÖVP’s election campaign slogan is “Run, run, run – and convince, convince, convince.” The party is confident that it can still overcome the gap to the FPÖ, the Freedom Party of Austria, in the upcoming election. Despite the polls showing the FPÖ in first place, the ÖVP believes that its good track record in difficult times and its strong top candidate make it a strong contender.
Attacks on Opponents
The ÖVP has been critical of its opponents, with club leader August Wöginger labeling the SPÖ’s top candidate Andreas Babler as a “communist” and the FPÖ’s top candidate Herbert Kickl as a “dangerous person.” The party has also been critical of the FPÖ’s stance on immigration and its connection to the Identitarian movement.
International Endorsements
The ÖVP has received international endorsements, including a video message from Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder, a big Star Wars fan, warning against the FPÖ and labeling them as the “dark side of power.”
the ÖVP is a dominant force in Austrian politics, with a rich history and a strong presence in the country’s parliament. However, the party is facing an existential crisis and has been critical of its opponents in the lead-up to the election. Despite this, the ÖVP remains confident that it can still win the election and maintain its grip on power.
