Final election campaign for the parties: Before the Styrians cast their votes on Sunday, the parties mobilized one last time. ÖVP, SPÖ, Greens and NEOS were out and about in the city center of Graz among the newly opened Advent markets, mulled wine and gingerbread – an ice-cold report.
An icy wind is blowing across the Lendplatz in Graz, where the ÖVP is gathering officials for the last time on Friday afternoon to convince voters with flyers and apples from the supermarket. Governor Christopher Drexler sounds relaxed, at least more relaxed than in previous weeks: it was an awkward, frosty election campaign for the Styrian People’s Party, the mood was clearly on the Freedom Party’s side.
“Despite the bad weather conditions, I’m enjoying it here,” Drexler says on the small stage, surrounded by white and green balloons and state councilors. “The Lendplatz is something like my natural habitat. I grew up here.”
Against the pull of the federal trend
Drexler is repeating what he has been pushing for weeks: this is a decisive election; it’s about whether you want experimentation or stability; It’s about the state’s next governor, not about “doing something about divisive federal politics.”
An acoustic version of Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’ blares from the speakers. Hot tea or mulled wine for the election campaigners, who fan out in all directions, are only available in the evening on Karmeliterplatz. “Yes, performance should be worthwhile,” jokes one official.
The “Toni” is not loud
Right next to Lendplatz it suddenly turns red: the SPÖ is marching towards Freiheitsplatz with balloons, drums and trumpets. There the group meets other officials who gather at the feet of Emperor Franz I (or his monument) after a star march. When Anton Lang steps in front of the crowd, applause erupts, somewhat subdued as the supporters’ thick gloves muffle the volume. ‘Toni’, as they all call him, is not a loud person. He doesn’t have to shout into the microphone to get his messages across.
Lang wants to become state governor and emphasizes this clearly once again. The comrades would like to hear that. “Only a strong social democracy can guarantee cohesion and political balance in Styria,” he says, once again calling on everyone to “run” to the end. The goal is to create 24,000 contacts by Sunday, either through personal conversations, distribution campaigns, campaign stands or home visits. Then comes the fun part, warming up with tea and mini gingerbread hearts.
Trump’s election was a low point for the Greens
Fittingly, the Greens set up their stand right next to the tram stop on the Grote Plein on Friday and are trying to reach as many public transport passengers as possible. There will be no meetings, top candidate Sandra Krautwaschl, the most promising candidates on the green state list and the deputy mayor of Graz Judith Schwentner are seeking direct talks. “It’s fun, it’s the essence of politics,” Krautwaschl said.
She will also be out all day on Saturday: Stattegg, Graz and Gleisdorf are on the program. Was there no slack in the demanding election campaign? “When Donald Trump was elected president of the US, I briefly asked myself what it meant. But then my sense of resistance quickly returned.” And with a view to the government negotiations in Vienna, I said: “I am deeply convinced that green politics will also be necessary in the coming years.”
Confidence in the pink shades
A little later, the NEOS parades through the city center with drum rolls, Manner cuts, pink balloons and Federal Secretary General Douglas Hoyos as a guest. Top candidate Niko Swatek exudes calm and confidence: “I received a lot of positive feedback after the TV debates.”
On Saturday he will also campaign in his hometown, and in the evening the NEOS entourage will go through the bars – as is traditional before election days – to talk to potential voters until the last minute. “I hope I can sleep an hour longer on Sunday,” says Swatek, smiling, looking at his son Emil (3), who accompanied him at the official end of the campaign.
Other parties on the home stretch
The FPÖ celebrated the end of the election campaign on Thursday evening with waving flags in the soap factory. The KPÖ also officially closed the election campaign on Thursday: emphatically subdued with coffee, cake and live music on the central square of Graz.
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.
