Big voter swings? – That’s how much the Schilling case hurts the Greens

Dismissal? Never. Even though many people might like to read this story, as Lena Schilling said. “I am a fighter. We will fight like lionesses,” she said at a news conference after new allegations against the EU’s leading candidate emerged the day before.

Schilling, who is said to have spread nasty rumors about affairs and intimidation, said in chats in November that she hated the Greens. ‘Taken out of context’, as she criticizes. The full chat also shows this. Because Schillling writes that she no longer “feels comfortable” with the KPÖ and that she can “learn” to become Green.

The dirty post has been circulating on X, formerly Twitter, for days. But – the damage to the party will likely have a lasting effect. No matter how much the Greens campaign about the SPÖ behind the accusations against the 23-year-old former activist.

Dark times are coming
But what does that mean for the Greens and the upcoming elections? Political analyst Peter Plaikner: “By naming possible campaign initiators, people have finally taken the offensive. And Lena Schilling shows that she has the strength and courage to make it happen.’ However, damage can no longer be prevented. By the way, opinion researcher Christoph Haselmayer (IFDD) and political advisor Thomas Hofer also see it that way.

Firstly, at the EU elections on June 9. There is a risk that a mandate will be lost here, so that the Greens can only hold one mandate. It was then owned by Lena Schilling. You can then roughly imagine the state of mind of the second, the experienced Styrian MP Thomas Waitz. And the reactions within the party.

A federal conference will also take place on June 22. According to Plaikner, the party bigwigs could “well be wiped out” because of their performance in the EU elections. And after the National Council elections, the Greens will almost certainly find themselves in opposition. All bonuses that have been accrued in recent years would have disappeared.”