Security, Health, Climate: These Are the Topics of the SPÖ for the Vienna Election 2025

Mayor Michael Ludwig aims to maintain the 2020 result in the upcoming Vienna election. Currently, the party is significantly behind the 41.6 percent achieved back then, he emphasized at the red club meeting on Tuesday. However, the goal can be reached if they succeed in bringing content closer to the people. For instance, they have managed to reduce per capita energy consumption in Vienna by about a third over the past 20 years, Ludwig reported.

Ludwig Aims to Maintain Last Vienna Election Result

"We have a difficult election campaign ahead of us," said Ludwig in his opening speech. The starting position for the early election called by the red-pink city government is challenging given the global political situation. Therefore, it is also a great challenge to achieve a "good result" in the election on April 27. Vienna's mayor remains convinced that bringing the election forward - back then due to a possible coalition of FPÖ and ÖVP - was the right decision.

Ludwig Pleased with SPÖ's Participation in Government

Ludwig also expressed his satisfaction that the SPÖ is now part of the federal government. "I am confident that we will succeed in leaving a social democratic mark," he emphasized. Regarding the Vienna election campaign, the mayor spoke out against polarization, agitation, and escalation, because "there is a day after the election." Therefore, Ludwig hopes that the ÖVP and FPÖ will also sign the fairness agreement initiated by the SPÖ.

Health, Security, Youth, and Climate as Red Topics in the Vienna Election

Ludwig reinforced the claim to leadership in the city with numerous initiatives to be advanced at the club meeting. He mentioned, among other things, a job initiative for young people, better working conditions in the healthcare sector, and more security personnel for public transport to enhance the "subjective sense of security." They also aim to further reduce energy consumption and create more green spaces.

Redesign of the Vienna Danube Canal to Continue

The list of initiatives continued with the ongoing redesign of the Danube Canal. Art and culture should not only be "embellishments" but also be easily accessible, which a new brochure on free offers will inform about. "People should also feel that when we are in government, it is different than when reactionaries and conservatives govern," he said regarding housing policy. Additionally, Vienna is the only federal state with economic growth.

More Security Personnel for Wiener Linien

In terms of security, the corresponding personnel at Wiener Linien will be increased. Specifically, the number of security staff will be increased from the current 110 to 150 by 2028. According to Wiener Linien, they are on duty around the clock and are responsible, among other things, for monitoring compliance with the house rules and transport conditions. They are also available to passengers as contact persons. It is further emphasized that the staff is specially trained to intervene in a de-escalating manner in critical situations.

Energy Consumption in Vienna Has Decreased Over the Last 20 Years

Figures on energy consumption were also presented today. According to Ludwig, it has significantly decreased in Vienna. From 2005 to 2023, it has been reduced by 33.7 percent per capita. He highlighted that the national average decline was only half as high. In the sectors of transport and production, the savings were proportionally the greatest, according to the responsible environmental councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky (SPÖ). Additionally, the share of gas in final energy consumption has decreased by 29 percent since 2005, it was stated.

SPÖ Club Meeting This Time Without Federal Party Leader Babler

The traditional club meeting of the Vienna SPÖ took place this time in an event location in Seestadt in the 22nd district and not in Burgenland, as usual. The motto of this year's edition is "Good for Vienna". At the start, club leader Josef Taucher welcomed the participants. "It is no coincidence that we are holding our club meeting in Vienna this year. Because an important election is ahead of us," he stated: "Now it's about Vienna and ensuring that Vienna remains a city for everyone in the future." The people of Vienna can rely on the SPÖ. They stand on the side of the people, he assured.

An appearance by federal party leader Andreas Babler, who was still present in Frauenkirchen last year, is not on the program. Subsequently, the red city councilors will present their presentations. However, there is a small change this year. The new finance councilor, the previous finance director Christoph Maschek, will not present any plans. He is only leading the department on an interim basis until the swearing-in of a new city government. He has already emphasized at his swearing-in that he does not want to make political statements.

Opposition Sees "Fireflies Instead of Lighthouses"

Vienna's opposition reacted with restraint to the red retreat. ÖVP state party chairman Karl Mahrer noted that while the announced measures are generally to be welcomed, they are "miles away" from being a major breakthrough. The SPÖ indulges in self-praise instead of tackling the major challenges in areas such as security, integration, or education.

The party leader of the Vienna Greens, Judith Pühringer, stated in a press release that the Vienna SPÖ apparently lacks bold ideas. "Instead of the often-announced lighthouses, at best fireflies were presented today." Measures in climate protection are missing. The Greens criticize that the SPÖ, for example, is avoiding the topic of transport.

(APA/Red)

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