Viennese party leaders – What they say now about the Blue-Black alliance

In a few months the Viennese will go to the polls. Last weekend will also have a serious impact on the election campaign in Vienna. No matter when the potential blue-black government is formed, it will not receive much mercy. It will depend on their initial successes or failures how easy it will be for the Vienna SPÖ to mobilize its supporters, and whether the FPÖ or ÖVP will experience a wave of success. Vienna therefore keeps a close eye on what is happening within the federal government. What do the Viennese party leaders and the party leader say about the current developments?

Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ): Viennese Mayor Michael Ludwig was disappointed after negotiations broke down. Ludwig: “Karl Nehammer had always refused to be a stirrup holder for Chancellor Kickl. But after the coalition negotiations with the SPÖ broke down, exactly this scenario looms. Our republic is now at a crossroads. My task in Vienna will be to do everything I can to ensure that in the future we continue to live in a city where we live together and where everyone takes care of each other. We won’t leave anyone behind here! Because in Vienna we are taking a different path. In these dramatic times it is necessary to find clear words. Anyone who makes themselves the stirrup holder of an FPÖ chancellor is responsible for what happens next!”

Dominik Nepp (FPÖ): The Vienna Freedom Party does not want to comment on the current developments. Now Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl and Neo-VP boss Christian Stocker have their say. One thing is certain: the rather cold relationship between the Vienna FPÖ and the federal liberals around Kickl makes a minister Dominik Nepp rather unlikely. It will also be interesting to see how the Blues can come to terms with the Mahrer People’s Party in town. Shortly after Nehammer’s resignation, there were already calls for the head of Viennese Vice President Karl Mahrer. FPÖ state party secretary Lukas Brucker is not very charming: “Kickl hater Mahrer must also resign!”

Karl Mahrer (ÖVP): “In recent weeks, the People’s Party has tried everything to reach an agreement with the SPÖ and NEOS. This has now failed because of Mr Babler’s tax fantasies, which would have mainly hit Austria’s top performers and middle class. I will closely monitor the decisions of the Federal President and the subsequent discussions at federal political level and fully concentrate on my political work in Vienna. Because in Vienna we have to solve major problems in education, integration and security.”

Vice Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS): “I am convinced that we need a stable government now. On important issues such as the pro-European orientation and the protection of Austria, for example through Sky Shield, I expect that the ÖVP will not give in. I would be positively surprised if courageous reforms would create space for our schools and kindergartens.”

Judith Pühringer (Greens): “If Blue-Black comes, it will be very bad news for the Austrian people. Where the FPÖ and ÖVP work together, social services are cut, nature conservation is scaled back and new roads leading to green fields are built. The FPÖ is a far-right, anti-European party that represents division and is worryingly close to Putin. The fact that the ÖVP, against all promises, now wants to form a coalition with Kickl is nothing but unconscionable voter fraud. The ÖVP presented itself as a firewall against the right-wing extremists, but now allowed these arsonists to become the robbers’ ladder to the chancellery. The Vienna ÖVP will also have to justify itself, as it had always ruled out a coalition with Kickl. With a view to the upcoming elections in Vienna, it is clear what the ÖVP stands for. With blue and black in mind, it becomes clear once again how irresponsibly the previously negotiating parties ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS have acted. They would have had it in their hands to prevent a right-wing extremist from entering the chancellery. Five years ago, when faced with a similar threat, the Greens consciously compromised and took on the government’s responsibility.”