
The Vienna election, which was originally scheduled for the fall, will be moved up to April 27. This was announced by Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) and Vice Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) in an online statement on Friday. Ludwig emphasized that the Second Republic is at a crossroads. Vienna could serve as a potential countermodel to a FPÖ politician in the chancellery. However, they do not want a “months-long election campaign” but rather clear conditions before summer.
Therefore, he will propose to the Vienna City Council to bring forward the municipal and district council elections, the mayor said. The announcement was made during a government retreat on Friday. “What makes Vienna, freedom and solidarity, is in danger,” said Wiederkehr. He referred to attacks on media freedom and the first cuts in education and warned of attacks on Vienna and the city’s financial hemorrhaging. “This is a storm that is brewing,” he said, and Vienna must brace itself, according to the vice mayor.
New election proposal on Tuesday
“We have experience with this setup,” Ludwig emphasized during a press conference after the government retreat. He mentioned, for example, the so-called patient billion of the former black-turquoise federal government. Public services had declined at the time, while costs had risen. In Vienna, they want to make it clear that they stand on the side of the population.
Other parties have already announced that the election campaign has now begun. However, Ludwig said that it should not last for months, adding that he was pleased that they had been able to agree on the date with their coalition partner. The new election proposal will be introduced in the City Council on Tuesday.
At the same time, they want to bring forward joint resolutions before the election. Special sessions of the City Council and State Parliament are also planned to complete the last points of the government agreement. “We are working until the end,” it was stated today.
Coalition reaffirms good cooperation
Wiederkehr reported that it was decided in talks earlier today to move up the election date. They are already seeing the effects of a potential FPÖ-ÖVP coalition. There will be “great attacks” on Vienna. In such times, it is important to have clear conditions so that the election can take place quickly, within 100 days.
The cooperation in the government has been good — and still is, assured the Vienna NEOS leader. “We have accomplished a lot together.” Ludwig also assured that the tensions between the SPÖ and NEOS at the federal level would not affect cooperation in the Vienna City Hall.
Proposal for fairness agreement
For the election campaign, the government partners envision a fairness agreement with all parties. They are inviting these parties and hoping for a constructive debate, said Ludwig. They do not want to engage in “verbal abuse” against competitors, as other political forces in the country do — for example, by attacking journalists and stepping outside the bounds of good manners and political decency.
No concrete election goals were formulated today. Wiederkehr stated that the goal is to be strong enough to form a “progressive coalition” with the SPÖ again. He added, “We know it will be close.”
Nepp sees FPÖ “prepared” for the election
The forward-moved election massively damages Ludwig’s “credibility,” according to the Freedom Party’s regional party leader Dominik Nepp. After all, he had claimed until the last moment that he intended to work until the end of the legislative period. “This does not speak for his credibility, because until yesterday, he was still lying,” said Nepp at a press conference. The FPÖ is “prepared” for the election, as they have been “constantly” campaigning in Vienna, currently with the “Fairness Tour.”
Nepp believes the mood in the population is on the side of the Blue party. On April 27, the people of Vienna will have the opportunity to vote out Ludwig’s “unfair system.” The early election is an admission by Ludwig that he has failed. Vienna is facing record debt of 16 billion euros, and unemployment is at a record high. Additionally, there has been a “snowball effect” of burdens under Ludwig. Everywhere, taxes, fees, Vienna Energy, and district heating have seen “massive increases.” According to the Freedom Party’s calculations, the burden imposed by Ludwig amounts to 3,500 euros per household per year.
However, Nepp did not rule out working with Ludwig after the election: “I can imagine working with anyone.”
Criticism also from other opposition parties
Criticism of the early election date also came from other opposition parties. “Instead of rolling up their sleeves, the Vienna SPÖ, with its appendage NEOS, is inventing some excuse for an early election for party-political reasons,” responded Vienna ÖVP leader Karl Mahrer in a statement. The valuable time until the regular election date could have been better used to finally address the pressing challenges in the city, said the ÖVP.
Vienna Green leader Judith Pühringer criticized that “the abrupt end of Red-Pink” would cause even more uncertainty in light of the developments at the federal level. As reasons for the irresponsible “hasty action” toward the end of the city government, Pühringer pointed to party tactics and the lack of unity within the red-pink coalition on issues like vacancy tax, second-home tax, climate law, and the appointment of the education director. The Vienna KPÖ, which hopes to gain a seat in the Vienna City Council, also accused Ludwig of breaking his promise to work until the end of the legislative period for party-political reasons. The KPÖ plans to decide on possible cooperation with other organizations soon.