The SPÖ feels the chance to take the chancellor’s office – and so the execution of the specially crafted comeback plan is in full swing. The “Krone” had insight into the SPÖ’s comeback plan: if the change succeeds, three women could set the tone in a traffic light coalition for the first time.
Political observers are experiencing a déjà vu. As in 2017, there is a mood of unrest in the country. At the time, Sebastian Kurz was considered an innovator who could break the deadlock. The Reds were exhausted within the party because of the refugee crisis. Kurz, on the other hand, celebrated itself as the closest of the Balkan routes.
SPÖ can only trip itself
Five years later, there is another mood of change that could reverse the balance of power, as was the case then. All polls put the SPÖ in first place (between 29 and 31 percent), well ahead of the ÖVP. While the coalition decides on numerous anti-inflation measures, the ability to find solutions is attributed to the Reds.
You almost get the feeling that the SPÖ can only trip itself. The SPÖ headquarters is feverishly working on the implementation of the Ballhausplatz project – dubbed “The Comeback”. The strategists around SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner vehemently deny that they only profit from the weakness of the competition.
Frustrated VP Voters Withdrawn
The SPÖ has already been able to withdraw 200,000 voters from the camp of frustrated ÖVP voters. “They could have moved to the non-electoral camp,” said SPÖ communications chief Stefan Hirsch. Hirsch has the ballot requested every week.
SPÖ question is well received
Unsurprisingly, Rendi-Wagner focuses primarily on one topic: “Price, price, price.” Then there are health, care and energy transition. The topic of inflation was raised early on and a message as simple as it was effective was given: “Drop prices”. Either through a reduction in VAT or a price ceiling. The SPÖ monitoring shows that 80 percent are in favor of a VAT reduction.
However, the SPÖ’s demand to limit energy prices is also a first stumbling block for the Reds. The Viennese are currently complaining about the appalling arrears of Wien-Energie. “That could be a pitfall for the story that where the SPÖ reigns, the difference shows up,” says political insider Thomas Hofer.
Unity as a success factor?
The campaign is also being worked on at SPÖ’s head office. A delegation traveled to Berlin in the autumn to analyze the SPD’s election campaign. She returned to Vienna realizing that a campaign targeting important issues hoisted Olaf Scholz to the Chancellor’s office. The unity of the SPD in the election campaign was also a success factor.
This point is a requirement for the SPÖ. There is the Pannonian Emperor Hans Peter Doskozil, who shoots Rendi-Wagner with great passion. Ex-chancellor Christian Kern could present a new list, even if he denies it.
Is Austria entering new times?
Should Rendi-Wagner capture the chancellor’s office, a traffic light coalition could also be formed. Three women would set the tone for the first time: alongside Rendi-Wagner, NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Green Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler, who is considered the logical heir to Werner Kogler. Those would indeed be new times.
Source: Krone
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
