Asylum, Inflation, Education: These Were the Election Motives in the Vienna Election 2025
In the election survey conducted by FORESIGHT and ISA for ORF for the Vienna municipal council election on Sunday, 58 percent of respondents stated that they consider Vienna a livable city. This is significantly less than in the last election in 2020, when 74 percent of those surveyed felt this way. This time, however, 37 percent said that Vienna has "lost a lot of quality of life", compared to 23 percent in the last election.
There were naturally large differences in this question between voter groups. While 90 percent of Green voters believe that Vienna is, all in all, a very livable city, 76 percent of FPÖ voters said that a lot of quality of life has been lost.
"Substantive Positions" in the Lead
This is also reflected in the reasons for the voting decision. For all parties, the "substantive positions" are in the lead - this also applies to the FPÖ, with 66 percent. However, close behind (59 percent) is the desire to "send a signal to federal politics." This motive is less pronounced in other parties, for example, among the Green voter group with only 25 percent, even though the Greens are also not represented in the federal government.
What Election Motives?
Nevertheless, overall, just over half, namely 51 percent, are "very satisfied" (10 percent) or "quite satisfied" (41 percent) with the current city government. 24 percent stated they are "not very satisfied" and 20 percent "not satisfied at all". Dominant election motives across all voter groups were primarily the topics "Asylum and Immigration" with 47 percent and "Price Increases and Inflation" with 34 percent. Only the Green (55 percent for "Environmental and Climate Protection") and Pink voter groups (47 percent for "Education") considered other topics more important. Overall, the aspects "Education" (23 percent), "Crime and Security" (19 percent), and "Healthcare and Nursing" (18 percent) were less decisive for the election.
Only 29 percent of respondents stated that they look at the city's financial budget "with confidence." Similarly, a minority, namely 36 percent, look with confidence at the ability of politics to shape the coexistence of Vienna's population well. 39 percent view this issue with concern, 16 percent with anger. The rest made no statement or did not want to commit. Of the blue voter group, only 16 percent view this issue with confidence. There is practically no difference in this question between respondents with and without a migration background.
Who should govern after the Vienna election?
In general, 70 percent of respondents want to see the SPÖ in the city government, 40 percent the NEOS, and 34 percent the Greens. 30 percent are in favor of the ÖVP and 26 percent for the FPÖ. Among the SPÖ voter group, the NEOS are the preferred coalition partner (55 percent). 39 percent of the social democratic electorate wish for the Greens as a government partner, while only 20 percent favor the ÖVP.
Compared to the year 2020, the timing of the voting decision remained relatively stable: In 2020, 71 percent had decided more than three weeks before the election, this time it was 73 percent. Only 10 percent made their voting decision in the last few days. For the study, 2,494 people were surveyed between April 17 and 26, 2,033 of whom were declared voters. Telephone and online interviews were conducted, with a margin of error of about two percent.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.