The mood in the country presents party strategists with difficult decisions: which SPÖ top candidate will stop Herbert Kickl’s FPÖ success? How does the ÖVP get out of the depths?
Five days before Christmas, the mood in the country is such that many party strategists will spend a thoughtful New Year’s Eve. With the exception of the FPÖ, the SPÖ and ÖVP in particular face serious decision-making difficulties. This is according to the latest research from ATV/APA – the so-called “Austria Trend”. The ÖVP has been in decline since the resignation of former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and currently ranks third, 22 percent behind the FPÖ (26 percent) and SPÖ (24 percent).
SPÖ has to decide who has more traction
Party leader Karl Nehammer has not yet succeeded in stabilizing the party. The investigations into the advertising affair regularly make headlines that are of little use to the ÖVP. The People’s Party is now trying to get back on its feet with a tough anti-migration policy. However, this subject is strongly occupied by the FPÖ.
Whether Kickl’s upward trend can be stopped depends mainly on the SPÖ. More and more studies now confirm that the governor of Burgenland, Hans Peter Doskozil (31 percent), has a better chance of winning national elections than the current party leader Rendi-Wagner (22 percent). If the trend continues, the pressure on the SPÖ chairman will increase. The SPÖ must clarify in 2023 which personality at the top of the party can prevent Kickl from winning the 2024 elections.
2023 is also a year of decisions for the Greens. Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler is positioned as a strong woman alongside party leader Werner Kogler. The eco-party will have to decide whether to vote with Kogler or Gewessler.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
