Following the five-year cycle, the Chamber of Commerce elections are taking place from Monday. Voting will occur from March 10 to 13, with results announced on March 14. The Chamber of Commerce is the major social partner on the economic side, alongside the Chamber of Agriculture. Traditionally, the ÖVP Economic Association (ÖWB) governs absolutely. On the other side, the Workers’ Chamber (AK) and the Federation of Trade Unions (ÖGB) are dominated by the Social Democrats.
The election for the business representation is not straightforward. Members of the nine regional chambers (one per federal state) elect representatives for sector committees and sector representatives through a so-called primary election. The national representation is then determined based on the primary election results from the regional chambers.
Nationally, the ÖWB, the Social Democratic Economic Association (SWV), the Freedom Economic Union (FW), the Green Economy, the ÖVP-affiliated Industrial List, and the UNOS of the NEOS are running. In Vorarlberg, however, a joint list of ÖWB, SWV, and FW is running.
Voter turnout in the last election decreased by 5.2 percent to 33.7%. A total of 233,430 votes were cast, with almost 700,000 voting rights exercised. The current Chamber president is Harald Mahrer, head of the ÖVP Economic Association.
Last Election Results
Among the strongest factions, the ÖWB received 69.6%. The SWV had 10.3%, the Green Economy 9.5%, the FW 6.2%, and UNOS 2.7%. In terms of mandates, the ÖWB had 6,725 or 74.7%, the SWV 780 or 8.7%, the Green Economy 569 or 6.3%, the FW 368 or 4.1%, the Industrial List 304 or 3.4%, UNOS 102 or 1.1%, and others had 154 or 1.4%.
Recurring Criticisms
Over the years, smaller factions have repeatedly called for changes to the electoral system. There have also been recurring complaints about issues with absentee voting. This year, the election campaign focused on several issues, including the various crises, energy prices, childcare, foreign skilled workers, the widely recognized high tax burden, and sole proprietors (EPUs).
