First Reactions of the Parties to the State Election in Burgenland 2025
The projection for the Burgenland state election on Sunday caused great jubilation at the FPÖ. Top candidate Norbert Hofer was pleased that the Freedom Party could more than double its share to 22.8 percent compared to the 2020 election. "For us, the result is of course very pleasing," he said at the Freedom Party's club in the Eisenstadt Landhaus.
State Election in Burgenland: Great Jubilation at FPÖ
As the bar for the Freedom Party moved upwards, a murmur went through the crowd, followed by applause. Hofer was pleased about the significant increase. They had gained a lot - "as the only party," said the former Third National Council President. The FPÖ gained about 13 percentage points. In 2020, they had achieved 9.8 percent under the impression of the Ibiza affair.
Hofer: Government Formation will be "Very Exciting"
The only downside: "Of course, I would have preferred if no coalition could have been possible without us," Hofer said. Celebrating with him were, among others, National Council President Walter Rosenkranz, State Party Chairman Alexander Petschnig and Club Chairman Johann Tschürtz.
The often-discussed option in advance, that Hofer could become governor in a coalition with the ÖVP, does not work out according to the projection. The only possibility against the SPÖ would be a government of the People's Party, Freedom Party and Greens - rather unlikely, as Hofer found. Governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) is now on the move to find a partner. If he were invited, he would have talks with him, Hofer emphasized. The formation of the government will be "very exciting" in the coming weeks.
In an interview with ORF, Hofer reiterated his desire to stay in Burgenland - even without a government office. The 2028 presidential election is therefore not an issue for him.
Club Chairman Tschürtz Wants to "Definitely" Govern with SPÖ
State Party Chairman Petschnig spoke of a "sensational, historical result" and thanked the people of Burgenland for their support. The ball is now in the SPÖ's court. The Freedom Party is of course ready for coalition talks, he emphasized: "If they call us, we are very happy to go into government negotiations."
Club Chairman Johann Tschürtz expressed even more clearly for a government participation. He told APA he was "glad that we are second," and now wants to "definitely" govern with the SPÖ: "That would even be a two-thirds majority."
Rosenkranz Celebrates "Historic Result" for FPÖ
President of the National Council Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ) was pleased with the projection of the state election in Burgenland, celebrating with the state party over their "historically best result". He was "very happy" and congratulated top candidate Norbert Hofer, whose return to Burgenland had now been rewarded, Rosenkranz told APA. However, he does not see a blue government participation as a must. "One does not have to submit just to govern, for its own sake."
If government participation does not materialise, the FPÖ will be a "strong, profiled and professional opposition". Rosenkranz could well imagine Hofer in both roles, and smiled: "One could almost say: We Freedom Party members can do anything in politics."
Kunasek: "Political Reversal of Trend Confirmed"
The Styrian governor Mario Kunasek (FPÖ) saw in the result of the Freedom Party in Burgenland a confirmation of the "political reversal of trend in Austria". He congratulated Hofer and was pleased that the SPÖ may have lost the absolute majority: "Across Austria, people can increasingly identify with freedom party content, as today's election result has proven."
Kunasek recognised a "strong desire for political change in the population". The voter's vote shows "that the people of Burgenland also long for a freedom party signature in the future state government in their federal state".
Upper Austria's state party leader and deputy governor Manfred Haimbuchner congratulated the FPÖ Burgenland and Hofer on the "historically best result and second place in the state election". The result also clearly showed for him: "The citizens want a political change."
Landbauer Delighted Over Fall of the Red "Absolute"
FPÖ Lower Austria state party chairman Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer spoke of a "historic electoral success" in Burgenland. The courage, determination and honesty of top candidate Norbert Hofer have been rewarded. The FPÖ is "as strong as never before" in Burgenland and has been able to clearly increase as the only party. "The fact that the SPÖ absolute has fallen rounds off this pleasing election day", said Landbauer in a statement.
Vienna's FPÖ chief Dominik Nepp congratulated on a "clear increase and the historically best result". Now, after the Vienna election, there also needs to be honest politics and fairness for those people who keep this city running, he referred to the ballot taking place at the end of April. "In addition, those Viennese who have innocently fallen into need due to the economic situation must finally be supported. The FPÖ will fight for this in Vienna with all its might."
Vorarlberg's FPÖ state party chairman Christof Bischi saw the Burgenland election result as a confirmation of the "success run" of the Freedom Party. Referring to the gains of the FPÖ, Bitschi stated that "the voters in Burgenland also want a change". It remains to be seen whether Governor Hans Peter Doskozil is ready to "end the SPÖ's exclusion course against us Freedom Party members" in his search for a government partner.
On this election day, there is a winner and it is Norbert Hofer with his team, declared Salzburg's FPÖ leader Marlene Svazek. Hofer not only broke the absolute majority of the SPÖ, but also achieved second place. The success is the "result of an honest policy on the side of the citizens", congratulated the Salzburg FP leader.
Puchwein Sees "Burgenland Way Confirmed"
SPÖ state managing director Jasmin Puchwein saw the "Burgenland way" confirmed after the first projection. Regarding the fact that the election goal, to hold the 18th mandate, so that no state government is possible against the SPÖ, was not achieved, she said that the final result still has to be awaited. She also left open with whom the first conversation about a possible coalition could be conducted.
Eisenstadt. "If you work well and a lot for the people, you get a lot back. We have shown that politics pays off for the people," said Puchwein. All over Europe, governing parties are being punished: "Not with us," she was pleased.
The projection has only been known for a few minutes, state party leader Hans Peter Doskozil will now discuss the next steps with his team: "Nothing has been staked out yet. It's about content," emphasized the state managing director. "Let's wait and see what happens. The goal was for the Burgenland way to continue and it has been confirmed," said Puchwein about the fact that the 18th mandate could not be held.
Statement from Doskozil to Come Later
The red top candidate Doskozil followed the projection in his state governor's office with his closest team. There were no statements initially, he was only available for photos and video recordings. A first statement was announced after the round of top candidates at around 6 pm.
Among the guests in the LH office were the government team, state parliament president Robert Hergovich, Doskozil's predecessor Hans Niessl, the new Styrian state party chairman Max Lercher and the state management, but not representatives of the federal party. When the projection and the individual values were displayed, applause broke out, followed by congratulations and back patting - and a kiss for Doskozil from his wife Julia.
NEOS Missed Entry into Burgenland State Parliament
The NEOS missed the entry into the Burgenland state parliament. National Council member Yannick Shetty was still optimistic in the first interviews. "A plus is a plus," Shetty told ORF about the increase of 0.1 percentage points in the first projection. "We have never been so good before." However, he admitted: "We would have wished for more." Looking ahead, he said: "We will build on what we have achieved."
When asked whether it was a mistake to commit to the opposition role in Burgenland from the outset, Shetty replied: It is "tragic for Burgenland that the other parties will now vie to make it even cheaper for Doskozil." He added that in the end it was a duel between SPÖ top candidate Hans Peter Doskozil and FPÖ list leader Norbert Hofer.
Shortly after being asked by Puls 24 whether the outcome of this election was related to the federal party's decision to withdraw from coalition negotiations, Shetty denied a connection. "The voters know that there are different elections at different levels," he said.
Secretary General Douglas Hoyos also looked ahead. "Even if the plus is not enough to enter the state parliament, we take on the task as a 'control force' in the fight against the red network with energy and immediately start working on the municipal election 27," Hoyos said on the X news service.
NEOS-Schneider: "We Have Ruffled Feathers"
NEOS top candidate Christoph Schneider tries to spread optimism despite the clear failure to enter the Burgenland state parliament. "We have never been as visible as we are now," he announced to his team. "We were loud, we ruffled feathers. People understand our message, they reacted positively." The population now knows "that we do not side with (Governor Hans Peter, note) Doskozil, but with the people of Burgenland."
According to the second projection, the NEOS are at 1.9 percent. That's 0.2 percentage points more than in the last Burgenland election.
In the ORF discussion round with the other top candidates, Schneider announced that he would remain head of the pink state party and try to enter the state parliament in the next election. According to the projection at 5:33 p.m., the NEOS are at 2.0 percent. That's 0.3 percentage points more than in the last Burgenland election.
Sagartz Finds the Result "Disappointing"
For the Burgenland ÖVP top candidate Christian Sagartz, the result of the first projection after the state election is "disappointing". It is "not a good day for us as a people's party," he said in a written statement to the APA. State Managing Director Patrik Fazekas expressed similar sentiments. He attributed the reasons for the worst ÖVP result in Burgenland so far to an unfavourable political climate for the ÖVP, among other things.
In addition, they had "two political heavyweights" as opponents, the state managing director referred to the top candidates Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) and Norbert Hofer (FPÖ). Although the SPÖ's absolute majority is history - there was no majority for the change sought by the ÖVP. However, they still want to take on government responsibility.
Federal ÖVP Disappointed About "Painful Losses"
The federal ÖVP is disappointed with the result of the state election in Burgenland. Secretary General Alexander Pröll spoke of "painful losses" after the projections were published. At the same time, however, SPÖ Governor Hans Peter Doskozil will have to look for a partner in the future, according to Pröll: "It is a pity that the Burgenland People's Party has to accept a loss of votes despite its good work and committed election campaign."
The ÖVP attributes its poor performance to the "challenging situation at the federal level" and a media focus on the duel between Governor Doskozil and the FPÖ's top candidate Norbert Hofer. "This escalation has cost important votes", even though Hofer "fell short of high expectations", emphasized Pröll.
Federal Greens' Re-entry "Huge Success"
For Olga Voglauer, Secretary General of the Federal Green Party, the performance of the Greens in the Burgenland state elections feels like a "huge success" despite moderate losses of votes. If the result of the first projection holds, the Greens with their two mandates will now "be the balance of power", Voglauer said on Sunday at the Eisenstadt Landhaus.
Regarding a government cooperation with the SPÖ, the ball is now in Governor Hans Peter Doskozil's (SPÖ) court, according to Voglauer. The Greens are ready to take responsibility and implement progressive politics in Burgenland. "With the Greens, a different vision would be possible in Burgenland than that of the concrete pourers", said Voglauer.
Greens Want to Co-govern
Green state spokesperson and top candidate Anja Haider Wallner reacted with relief to the first projection of the outcome of the Burgenland state elections. The Greens remain in the state parliament - and want to co-govern: "The ball is now in Governor Hans Peter Doskozil's court. He can go into the past with blue or into the future with green. We are ready to take responsibility."
The Greens are ready for talks and have "many ideas on how we can make Burgenland more livable", said Haider-Wallner in an initial written statement. The danger that the Greens would not make it into the state parliament was real: "Some had already written us off completely." She is therefore pleased that a comeback and a "solid/good result" was achieved and the mandates could be maintained.
Relief about the re-entry into the Burgenland state parliament was also felt in the bursting club room of the Greens at the Eisenstadt Landhaus after the first projection. "A weight has been lifted from my heart," said state managing director Marita Demattio. The current events at the federal level around blue-black have certainly provided a tailwind, Demattio noted. In the country, a government mandate for the Greens is now seen.
Vienna's Greens Pleased with "Turnaround"
The Vienna Greens, who also have an election to fight soon, congratulated. "The Greens are back in the state parliament and have initiated a turnaround with a comeback against the polls. This means that climate protection and soil protection, transparency and the preservation of village centres are again strongly represented in the Burgenland state parliament", party leader Judith Pühringer was pleased in a statement sent to the APA.
"You can count on us Greens", commented Tyrol's Green club chairman Gebi Mair on the election result in Burgenland. The Greens had already been written off, but now the party is "even in a strategically advantageous position". The election result also shows that "even for the Freedom Party, dreams of absolute majorities do not grow into the sky" and also what people think of the "broken promises" of the People's Party.
The Green Party of Burgenland has "shown what is possible with commitment and a clear message," stated Hikmet Arslan, the party's state manager in Lower Austria. They have "absolutely achieved a good result." "Especially in times like these, we need critical, green voices more than ever," emphasized Arslan.
Government Participation "Beautiful Vision"
The Styrian Green Party leader Sandra Krautwaschl was also pleased about the Greens' continued presence in the Burgenland state parliament: "Considering the difficult situation we are in, it is gratifying that we apparently managed to hold both mandates. A big thank you goes to the people in Burgenland who have placed their trust in us Greens. They are slowly realizing that it will be very important for the future if the Greens have a say in the state parliaments."
One reason for holding the mandates might have been that the issue of preserving our livelihoods and fair social balance no longer appears in the discussions and negotiations at the federal level. She did not want to make a recommendation as to whether the Greens should join Doskozil in a possible government, but it is a "beautiful vision" of a government in which the Greens also stand up for the things they were elected for, Krautwaschl said.
Molnar: "I'm Doing Well"
List Common Sense top candidate Geza Molnar "clearly missed" entering the state parliament, he admitted to the APA on Sunday afternoon: "The conditions and circumstances were difficult. I thank each and every voter." And: "I'm doing well. I'm glad I did it," he further explained.
Eisenstadt. When asked whether the former FPÖ politician could now work again with the Freedom Party, Molnar said: "There are currently no considerations, but I don't want to rule anything out."
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.