Posters washed away – broken by flood: this is how the election campaign continues

Up until now, the election campaign has been conducted with hard tactics. The TV duels have sometimes been underground. It is to be hoped that the catastrophe and the forced break will bring the election campaigners to their senses a little.

Chancellor and ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer has cancelled all media events planned for the beginning of the week in connection with the election campaign. Appointments that can be made will be made up, but the focus is currently on crisis management and those affected, the ÖVP said.

Thousands of posters were destroyed
It is still unclear what will happen to the many thousands of posters destroyed by the storms. Normally, destroyed or illegible posters are automatically replaced by the service providers during the election campaign. However, given the scale of the destruction, this will be logistically difficult.

According to the first information, posters are being replaced where you can normally drive, but not in flood areas. “The focus here is also on people’s safety. If posters are damaged or bent, they should be removed or repaired,” say the Greens.

The Social Democrats are also suspending the election campaign, at least partially. “Many people – especially in Lower Austria – are currently facing very great challenges. At the same time, there is great uncertainty about how the coming days will unfold. It is clear that we cannot go back to the agenda,” says the SPÖ.

The dates for the top candidate’s election campaign have been suspended until further notice. As mayor, Andreas Babler must still lead the crisis and operations team in his home community. “The situation is still tense and the full extent of the damage is only now becoming apparent,” he explains on the ground.

SPÖ with reduced election campaign in the United States
In the federal states, however, a limited election campaign will continue where possible. “That means: there will be house call campaigns, telephone campaigns and company visits – but in a limited form and not throughout Austria. There will be no major festive events,” the Social Democrats make clear.

FPÖ distributes 70,000 kilos of vegetables
The Freedom Party around FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl is taking a similar approach. “Once the immediate catastrophe is over, it will be a matter of quickly and unbureaucratically compensating the victims – we owe that to them,” Kickl himself said on TikTok. The liberal priorities are now also shifting in the election campaign. “We have canceled major events throughout Austria, that is a given, completely different things now have priority. Smaller actions are taking place in areas that were not or only slightly affected by the storms and floods,” explains Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz.

For example, 70,000 kilos of vegetables were purchased from regional farmers to distribute. “It would be a shame – especially in times like these – to let food get moldy. “That is why we are going to distribute the vegetables in Vorarlberg and Tyrol, for example,” the blue general adds.

The Greens have also cancelled official election campaign dates. Party leader Werner Kogler was supposed to be in Lower Austria tomorrow as planned. Campaign appearances have been cancelled, but the vice chancellor will still go to Lower Austria to get an idea of ​​the situation.

NEOS is also taking a break. Party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger has a radio appointment that she will keep if ORF so wishes. On Tuesday afternoon we will start preparations for the National Council meeting on Wednesday. At the latest then the election campaign will get going again.