Hardly any stone was left unturned in the state elections in Lower Austria on Sunday. The evening brought five historic moments. The “crown” analyzed (see also video above).
There was complete silence among the ÖVP Lower Austrian officials when the first projection was presented on the TV screen. A minus of 9.7 percentage points. No more 40 percent. A loss of this magnitude didn’t even get a proper round of applause. “It’s a painful result,” Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner said of the crash. Painful is an understatement. It means a turning point in the blue-yellow state.
ÖVP NÖ: Worst election results in the Second Republic
There were several historic moments on election night:
- The ÖVP has the worst election result in the Second Republic.
- The ÖVP loses the absolute and the majority in the state government.
- The ÖVP now has only four of the nine government posts.
- Also for the first time in the Second Republic, the SPÖ loses the position of deputy governor.
There is still a little hope for the Reds: if the ÖVP and SPÖ form a coalition, they could prevent Udo Landbauer from voting as a state deputy in the state parliament.
Milestone for the blues in Lower Austria
- Fifth historic moment: With 24.2 percent, the FPÖ is the second strongest party in Lower Austria for the first time and clearly overtakes the SPÖ, which only achieved 20.6 percent and had to accept a loss of 3.3 percentage points.
What does the result mean for Lower Austria? The ÖVP must now form a real coalition for the first time. In other words, a rethink is needed in the daily use of power. “Now the ÖVP really has to share power. This is a heavy blow to the proud ÖVP Niederösterreich,” political expert Thomas Hofer said.
Mikl-Leitner blames the “protest movement, which arose mainly as a result of international developments” on the fat minus. Your goal now is to conclude a working agreement with the SPÖ and FPÖ. A pact with the SPÖ will be negotiated. The Blues in Lower Austria remain on course for confrontation.
‘Kickl wants a coalition of losers’
Immediately after the first projection, FPÖ Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz categorically ruled out cooperation. The Blues also do not want to elect Mikl-Leitner as state governor in the state parliament. “Of course Kickl now wants the ÖVP and SPÖ to form a coalition of losers,” said Hofer.
With 24.2 percent in Lower Austria, the Blues have “reached a milestone”, Thomas Hofer assesses the election results. The FPÖ has never managed to get above 20 percent in this state. “The result is remarkable,” says Hofer.
SPÖ Lower Austria for personnel debate
The second big loser color is red. SPÖ top candidate Franz Schnabl, unlike the FPÖ, could not bring the subject bonus to the ground. The SPÖ only gets 20.6 percent and loses second place. The failed top candidate Schnabl does not want a personnel debate, he apparently wants to play the chair slime. “Of course he is now clinging to his seat, but it would be absurd if there were no staff debate,” said Hofer. It would also be easier for the ÖVP to secure a working agreement if Schnabl resigned.
The Greens achieved a plus of 1.2%, although they could no longer benefit from the votes of the second home voters in this election. The club status gives them more money and also more opportunities to act in the state parliament.
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.
