What are the consequences – new ÖVP power game: “Officials are nervous”

A high-ranking ÖVP politician summarizes Johanna Mikl-Leitner’s price-ceiling offensive as follows: “Price pressure made it necessary. The officials are nervous.” The head of state of Lower Austria has so far maintained the style of party speech, but in recent years little has been said about Vienna.

Spontaneous change of strategy
A survey low about six months before the Lower Austrian state elections and a huge inflation problem caused the spontaneous change of strategy (until a few days ago, Mikl still represented the government position in the Lower Austrian state parliament). “From now on, the federal government is the rub tree,” says political scientist Peter Filzmaier. After all, it is important to defend an absolute majority.

More and more state governors are giving up
The pressure is mounting for Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Three provincial governors of the ÖVP already support Mikl-Leitner’s claim. Even before he left for Israel, the two had a serious conversation.

The chancellor was not very happy with the revival of the old power games – state leaders against the federal party – because it weakens his position within the party. “The pressure on the coalition is increasing and is putting them in a hopeless situation,” Filzmaier said.

In the end, it’s the election results that count
If the government doesn’t give in, she’s got the “Bummerl”. If it relents, the coalition will run into the problem that “there is currently no perfect solution”. Political expert Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle takes a more relaxed look at Mikl’s tactics. In the end, it’s the election results that count: “It’s better to fight now and a smaller minus in the election.”