The state elections in Vorarlberg have been won and there is already speculation about possible coalitions. Editor-in-chief Emanuel Walser of “Krone Vorarlberg” explains in his column “Klartext” why everything speaks for black and blue. The catch? Governor Markus Wallner and FPÖ leader Christof Bitschi have never really been “green”.
The ÖVP came away with a black eye, Markus Wallner will also lead the new state government. The question arises: what will this look like? In fact, everything speaks for black and blue. The substantive overlap is certainly there, especially because the Ländle VP has noticeably moved to the right in the past two years – and has therefore increasingly distanced itself from the green coalition partner. Conversely, Vorarlberg’s Freedom Party has avoided unnecessary excursions to the far right and their rhetoric differs significantly from that of FPÖ hardliners such as Herbert Kickl or Harald Vilimsky.
Rebellious “three cheese high”
But what is perhaps even more important: Will Wallner and Christof Bitschi find each other? The two had previously warmly disliked each other, and there had been real arguments more than once in debates in the state parliament – here the young opposition leader from the Brandnertal, who repeatedly attacked Wallner personally, there the experienced top politician, who led the rebellious ‘ three-cheese-high’ other times the schoolmaster gave. Just think of Wallner’s legendary ‘advice’ to Bitschi, asking him to ‘turn on his brain’ for a change.
Anyone who now objects that personal animosities play only a minor role, the most important thing is that we can agree on this, should keep in mind the last two legislatures: Black-Green under Wallner and Johannes Rauch were crowned successfully mainly because they could both get along well. This basis of trust was lost when Rauch responded to the call of his party colleague Werner Kogler and became Minister of Health and Social Affairs.
And so in the end the bizarre punchline remains: black and blue ultimately only work if Wallner and Bitschi become at least a little green.
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.
