2024-11-03 06:21:00
A new Styrian state parliament will be elected in three weeks and most of the parties have started the intensive election campaign. The ÖVP will ring in the start of the hot phase on Monday evening in the Graz trade fair. You can hardly miss them and the eight other groups campaigning in the streets of Graz city center. In addition to the obligatory pens and lighters, fabric bags, jams, coloring books, chocolate and gingerbread are also distributed.
The first elephant round, organized by the weekly newspaper “My District” in front of around 900 students, has already taken place, and more will follow. The parties hold press conferences almost every day in order to present their topics and content to the media. What the population can see most of all are the election posters along streets and highways as well as the election workers in the alleys and at events.
There are no big surprises with the parties’ small election gifts this time: The ÖVP relies on Styrian apples in boxes, with a portrait of Governor Christopher Drexler printed on the latter. SPÖ top candidate Anton Lang distributes gingerbread hearts, muesli bars and schnapps cards, keyword: long stays in households, as well as ballpoint pens, a red “hacker lighter” with an integrated bottle opener and a tape measure one meter long – with his slogan “because he works instead of just talking “.
The Greens offer different fabric bags, for example with the imprint “Give fabric for a good climate” and vegan organic bears in compostable packaging. Green colored pencils with #moregreen and dark chocolate filled with hazelnut nougat are likely to appeal to voters with a green sweet tooth.
Mario Kunasek from the FPÖ has perhaps the most colorful range of giveaways alongside the Greens. He relies on a long-time election worker: the Kunibär, a gray stuffed animal in a light blue sweater. There are also gummy bears, which he calls “Kunibärchen”. Furthermore, Kunibär’s coloring books for children – no specifications are given about the colors to be used – as well as pumpkin seeds are distributed, these of course from Styria. Gingerbread hearts were already handed out at the start of the election campaign at the Hartberg Oktoberfest and blue lighters are also never missing from Kunasek.
Lighters can also be found in the standard repertoire of KPÖ election workers. Top candidate Claudia Klimt-Weithaler also distributes strawberry jams. Ballpoint pens and buttons with the imprint “KPÖ – honestly different” are also available. Also noticeable was a comic with the manifesto of the communist party, with drawings by Karl Berger – including a “communist ghost” on the cover.
NEOS with top candidate Niko Swatek often attract attention during the election campaign with their pink balloons, which parents like to take with them for their children and are often “torn out of their hands” when they are inflated. There is also glucose – true to the NEOS motto “The driving force” – and ballpoint pens with cork handles. The Pinks started their intensive election campaign last week. Swatek himself also indirectly used the Klanglicht Festival of the Graz Theaters for his election campaign. With alleys and squares in the city center full of people, he positioned himself at Freiheitsplatz and advertised himself and NEOS.
For the small parties that first have to make it into the state parliament, the election campaign budgets are naturally small. Most of them distribute folders or one or two buttons. In their case, the top candidates have to take to the streets themselves even more often. KFG frontwoman Claudia Schönbacher, for example, likes to make contact with voters at dog parks, because as a city councilor responsible for animal protection, she is often there. MFG top candidate Andrea Kamper is fighting for the basic mandate in Graz, but as a southern Styrian, it is probably the most difficult thing to reach voters here. She and her team try to do this especially around events where they think their target group is. The DNA list with Maria Hubmer-Mogg mainly distributes folders and buttons.
In the election posters so far – not all parties have already advertised second waves – not all parties have used the faces of their top candidates. In its first wave of posters, the SPÖ let Styrians who support Anton Lang as governor speak. This even caused some irritation when Anton Lang is on the poster, but someone completely different can be seen. “That’s not the Lang guy,” was something the population heard. At least the Social Democrats’ top candidate can now be seen in the second wave of posters. There was a bit of a stir at the beginning of the election campaign over posters that were designed by other parties to look like their political opponents. The ÖVP and KPÖ had a little exchange of blows.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Eva Müller on the Upcoming Styrian State Parliament Elections**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Müller. With the Styrian state parliament elections just three weeks away, can you discuss the current atmosphere in Graz as parties ramp up their campaigns?
**Dr. Müller:** Absolutely, the atmosphere is quite lively and competitive right now. The ÖVP is kicking off the final stretch of their campaign with an event at the Graz trade fair, which signifies the seriousness with which they are approaching these elections. You’ll see heightened visibility for all parties, especially along the city streets where they’re engaging with voters directly.
**Interviewer:** We’ve noticed that many parties are using unique election gifts to attract voters. What’s your take on this strategy?
**Dr. Müller:** These election gifts serve a dual purpose: they not only garner attention but also create a tangible connection with constituents. For example, the ÖVP’s choice of Styrian apples reflects local pride, while the SPÖ’s approach with gingerbread hearts aims to evoke warmth and familiarity. It’s a strategy of personalization in a digital age, where candidates are trying to stand out and forge a more direct relationship with voters.
**Interviewer:** The variety of giveaways ranges from useful items like ballpoint pens and fabric bags to more whimsical gifts like stuffed animals and coloring books. How important are these during an election campaign?
**Dr. Müller:** They are quite significant! Such giveaways can often linger in households long after the campaign, keeping the party’s message alive in voters’ minds. It’s about creating memorable interactions. For example, the FPÖ’s use of the Kunibär stuffed animal not only appeals to families but also crafts a fun, approachable image for their campaign. It’s all about building brand awareness and relatability.
**Interviewer:** With various parties distributing different types of merchandise, which groups do you think are resonating more effectively with the electorate based on their strategies?
**Dr. Müller:** It’s still early to draw definitive conclusions, but we’re seeing a trend where more personalized, eco-friendly options, like those from the Greens, tend to resonate with younger voters who prioritize sustainability. In contrast, the fun and nostalgic approaches of the FPÖ and SPÖ may appeal more to families. It ultimately depends on the demographics of their target voters and how well they strike that balance between entertainment and substance.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of demographic targeting, the event organized by “My District” showcasing party representatives has brought in a substantial student audience. How crucial are such platforms for engaging young voters?
**Dr. Müller:** Very crucial! Engaging young voters is essential for any party’s long-term strategy. Events like these create an opportunity for direct dialogue between candidates and potential voters. The impression young people get during these interactions can significantly influence their perceptions and decisions when they hit the polls.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Müller, for your insights into this bustling electoral season in Styria. It’ll be interesting to see how these strategies unfold as Election Day approaches.
**Dr. Müller:** Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to the outcomes and how these campaigns will shape the political landscape in the region.
