In Austria, the conservative ÖVP experienced a debacle in the state elections in Tyrol. According to the preliminary results, Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s party fell by around ten percentage points compared to the last election in 2018 to a historic low of 34.7 percent. Her worst result so far in Tyrol was 39.3 percent.
According to the information, the right-wing FPÖ comes in second place with 18.9 percent with noticeable gains. The social democratic SPÖ is stagnating at 17.5 percent. The Greens, coalition partner of the ÖVP, come to 9.2 percent. A continuation of this alliance is no longer mathematically possible. The liberal neos reach 6.3 percent. The Fritz list, which campaigns for better educational opportunities and affordable housing, among other things, climbs to 9.9 percent.
“We lost, we are aware of that,” said ÖVP top candidate Anton Mattle. The 59-year-old Tyrolean Economics Minister presented the ÖVP’s claim to leadership as the party with the most votes. The ÖVP started with 25 percent at the beginning of the election campaign and, thanks to catching up, has increased significantly, according to Mattle. Everything will be done to win back the trust of the citizens. Mattle again ruled out a coalition with the FPÖ. According to observers, there is now much to be said for an alliance with the SPÖ. The ÖVP has been the prime minister in Tyrol for 77 years.
Corona protesters hardly play a role
The 59-year-old struggled with a rather low level of awareness. The long-time Prime Minister Günther Platter only gave up his post with the election. As a result, Mattle lacked any official bonus. In the 2018 election, the state party benefited from the national political tailwind from the new chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who was still celebrated within the party at the time. This federal political effect did not materialize this time. On top of that, the public prosecutor’s investigation into allegations of corruption against former ÖVP top politicians is tarnishing the party’s image.
The most important issues for the voters were inflation, securing the energy supply and affordable housing, as shown by an election day survey by the institutes Sora and ISA and the ORF. Corona only played a minor role. The MFG (People – Freedom – Basic Rights) party, which is critical of vaccination, also clearly failed at the five percent hurdle.
The state elections in Tyrol are the start of a series of elections in Austria. The Federal President will be elected on October 9th. Three state elections will follow in 2023 – including in Lower Austria and Salzburg, two other core countries of the ÖVP.
