The FPÖ has made history in Styria’s regional election, securing first place for the first time outside of Carinthia. According to the latest projections from “Foresight” for APA and ORF, the FPÖ, led by Mario Kunasek, has garnered 34.9% of the vote. In a major shift, the ÖVP has suffered a significant loss, dropping to 26.7%, while the SPÖ trails with just 21.4%. Despite halving its vote share, the Greens have managed to maintain a lead over NEOS and the KPÖ, with the smaller parties showing mixed results.

If the projections hold, the FPÖ will have the option of forming a government either with the ÖVP or the SPÖ. However, a continuation of the black-red coalition under ÖVP Governor Christopher Drexler seems unlikely. Both the ÖVP and SPÖ would need to rely on one of the other three parties to secure a majority. The Greens are projected to have 6.2%, NEOS 5.9%, and the KPÖ, despite significant losses, stands at 4.4%.

Unlike other regions, Styria doesn’t have a percentage threshold for entering the regional parliament. Instead, securing a basic mandate in any of the electoral districts is the determining factor. The Greens, NEOS, and KPÖ are expected to secure mandates in Graz, where their support remains strong.

FPÖ’s Historic Victory

Kunasek expressed surprise at the scale of the FPÖ’s victory, though whether he will become governor will depend on the coming days. The FPÖ now automatically receives the mandate to form a government. Kunasek said that while there are common areas of agreement with both the ÖVP and SPÖ, there are also areas of contention. He indicated that government talks would begin promptly, stating, “There will be no ‘blue Monday’—I’ll roll up my sleeves immediately and aim to present a roadmap for negotiations by Tuesday.”

In a swift reaction to their loss, the ÖVP pointed to the federal government as the cause of their decline, citing the Federal President’s refusal to give the FPÖ the mandate to form a government. Governor Drexler lamented, “I feel like the sacrificial lamb of the republic today.” He attributed the election result to the influence of national politics, and will ask the ÖVP for a vote of confidence on Monday. Despite the loss, Drexler remains highly motivated to continue his work in the state.

Meanwhile, SPÖ federal secretary Klaus Seltenheim commented, “This is a Styrian election with a Styrian result,” suggesting the party would focus on building constructive coalitions at the federal level. In Styria, the leadership of Anton Lang, who faced his party’s worst result in recent history, is now uncertain. Lang accepted full responsibility for the loss, but his future within the party will likely be decided in upcoming party meetings.

Disappointment Among Smaller Parties

The Green Party, led by Sandra Krautwaschl, was also disappointed with the result. She accepted responsibility for the loss, calling it “a bitter day.” KPÖ leader Claudia Klimt-Weithaler lamented the widespread success of the FPÖ, saying, “The blue wave has swept all of Austria.” On a more positive note, NEOS leader Niko Swatek expressed satisfaction with their modest gains, describing the party as the second winner of the election.

One of the most significant topics in the election was the planned centralization of hospitals. In communities threatened by hospital closures, the FPÖ saw overwhelming support. In Rottenmann, more than 63% of voters chose the FPÖ, while in Schladming, around 51% voted for the party. The FPÖ also secured first place in Bad Aussee, and even in Stainach-Pürgg, where the new central hospital is planned, they achieved a strong result with nearly 30% of the vote.

The FPÖ also made significant inroads in traditionally strong areas for the SPÖ in Upper Styria, taking first place in Bruck/Mur, Knittelfeld, and Judenburg. In Kapfenberg and Leoben, they narrowly missed out on first place.

If there was any comfort for Governor Drexler, it came from his hometown of Passail, where the ÖVP bucked the regional trend and secured a solid majority with 54% of the vote.

As of 6 PM, all districts had been counted except for Graz City and Hartberg-Fürstenfeld. In Hartberg-Fürstenfeld, the ÖVP managed to hold onto first place, but in all other districts, the FPÖ led.