SPÖ Celebrated Projection

The SPÖ received the results of the first projection for the Vienna election on Sunday with delight. The SPÖ state party chairman, Mayor Michael Ludwig, watched the presentation on television in the Red Salon of the Town Hall together with members of the city government and other top red officials. When the bars appeared on the screen, they were cheered.

There were initially no statements there, but the assembled red grandees seemed visibly relieved. The result was significantly better than the previously published trend forecast - although the result of the projection was within the margin of error of the forecast.

SPÖ federal party leader Andreas Babler congratulated Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig on the election victory in the municipal council election and sees it as a "tailwind" for the federal SPÖ. The election result strengthens the entire social democracy and gives a lot of tailwind for the tasks ahead of us, said Babler on election night in a statement.

The Vice Chancellor spoke of a "great success and a strong vote for a social-democratically led Vienna." Babler praised the committed election campaign of the Vienna state party "with social-democratic core themes, reliable policies for the benefit of the people, and solutions for affordable housing and a strong healthcare system."

SPÖ federal manager Klaus Seltenheim also congratulated the Vienna SPÖ and Ludwig "from the bottom of his heart" and spoke of a "very, very good election result." The last few months have shown that normally the ruling parties are rather punished, "that did not happen today," said Seltenheim to the APA. He explained the slight losses compared to the election result five years ago by saying that "the narrative from all other parties, that it is already clear that Ludwig will be mayor," had caught on a bit.

The SPÖ Burgenland congratulated their Vienna party colleagues, but state manager Kevin Friedl further explained: "Today's result also shows very clearly that the federal government in its current constellation, which is primarily burdened with the dismantling of the ÖVP debt legacy, does not mean tailwind for social democracy."

Nevertheless, the SPÖ Vienna was able to "convince and achieve a strong result," said Friedl. He also referred to the result of the Burgenland state election in January: "With today's day, it is also evident in retrospect how strong social democracy as a state governor party with Hans Peter Doskozil performed with 46.38 percent on January 19, 2025."

With fewer restrictions, comrades in other federal states reacted: As the state party chairman of the SPÖ Carinthia, he was particularly pleased, "when our common line - for social security, affordable housing & equal opportunities - is so clearly confirmed by the people," said Carinthia's SP leader Governor Peter Kaiser on X (formerly Twitter).

The election victory of the SPÖ Vienna shows that consistent work, clear stance, and real solutions resonate with the people. This result is far more than a Viennese phenomenon, it is "a strong and encouraging signal for the entire SPÖ in Austria," said the leadership trio of the Salzburg SPÖ, Barbara Thöny, Bettina Brandauer, and Peter Eder in a statement. The result shows that "social and thoughtful politics" is rewarded and confirms the successful course of social democracy in Austria.

The Styrian SPÖ leader Max Lercher said: "This very strong result brings further stability to the federal capital in turbulent times. It is particularly pleasing that Mayor Ludwig can decide on the coalition form for the next five years. This makes progressive politics possible in Vienna, focusing on improving the living reality of citizens."

For Health Councillor Peter Hacker (SPÖ), today's performance must be taken "with real humility." The voter's decision is "clear," he said after the release of the first projections. Mayor Ludwig has "clearly" won the election "together with us as a team." However, one must still "keep a cool head."

Regarding a possible renewal with the NEOS as a partner in the city government, Hacker remained reserved: "Now we are at the point where we will discuss and analyze this in our party committees tomorrow - then we will see further."

Hafenecker sees "clear mandate"

FPÖ General Secretary Christian Hafenecker sees a "clear mandate" for his party in the first projections of the Vienna election, as well as a "setback" for the governing parties. It is thanks to the "dishonest politics" of the ÖVP that they have achieved a single-digit result for now, he said in a conversation with the APA. SPÖ Mayor Michael Ludwig must also now consider whether he wants to continue the exclusion policy towards the Freedom Party.

Hafenecker thanked the voters for the great trust, which has almost led to a tripling in Vienna. "We Freedom Party members continue the historic gains in all possible elections," he confidently stated for the future. "The Freedom Party election movement remains unbroken with our Herbert Kickl at the helm," he also credited his party leader with the success.

In the FPÖ, the joy over the performance in the Vienna election was naturally high according to trend forecasts. Several state party leaders congratulated top candidate Dominik Nepp remarkably quickly after the first numbers were announced and saw it primarily as a signal to federal politics. "Today we saw that the blue wave of success continues," said FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz after the release of the first projection.

In response to the ORF's statement that they did not reach the former record result of 2015 under former party leader Heinz-Christian Strache, Schnedlitz was annoyed: "The cards are, of course, completely reshuffled. You can try to downplay a Freedom Party election result that has tripled through the ORF. We expected something different from you." From the federal party's perspective, they are satisfied with the result, said Schnedlitz.

FPÖ leader Dominik Nepp stated that he is "hugely" pleased with the election result, but he is also humble. "We have tripled in terms of percentages and mandates, which I see as a desire for change," said Nepp. Actually, there should be a red-blue coalition according to the voter's will, said the Freedom Party state leader and called on Ludwig to "stop the exclusion policy."

Party leader Herbert Kickl recognized a "warning" for Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) and wants to humbly accept the Freedom Party's success. The strong result for the FPÖ shows that people in Vienna also want change. It is also a confirmation of the FPÖ's overall straightforward course, for credibility and honesty.

Similarly, Upper Austrian Deputy Governor Manfred Haimbuchner: "The blue wave of success continues, and the Viennese have set a sign for the desire for change at the ballot box. However, this result is also a clear rejection of the federal government." He was also pleased not only that the FPÖ could triple its result but also about "the historically worst result of the comrades in the federal capital."

The Styrian Governor Mario Kunasek congratulated Nepp almost word for word: "The voters have thus sent a strong signal for change in the federal capital and confirmed the honest path of the FPÖ, which puts people at the center. Dominik Nepp took over the party in 2019 during a difficult phase and has led it to a well-deserved success for the people of Vienna today with straightforward work."

"The current federal government, against the will of the voters, was punished by the voters for the first time today," summarized Tyrol's FPÖ state party chairman Markus Abwerzger. The tripling of the FPÖ is a "huge success" for top candidate Dominik Nepp, his team, the party, and the community of values. The result is also a great achievement of FPÖ federal party chairman Herbert Kickl. The Austrian population deserves "something better," "just like the people of Vienna."

The FPÖ was able to "impressively win" the trust of the Viennese, said the Burgenland state party chairman Alexander Petschnig in a statement. It has been shown that people "are looking for a real alternative to the red-black power cartel," Petschnig also saw a "clear mandate" for the Freedom Party.

Emmerling (NEOS) Advocated for Continuation of the Coalition with the SPÖ

Vienna's Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling (NEOS) advocated for a continuation of the coalition with the SPÖ. It is the best result the Liberals have ever achieved in Vienna. They have shown that they can gain even as a governing party. "A lot has progressed," praised Emmerling the current city government. She now wants to continue working there.

Vienna KPÖ Satisfied on Sunday

Despite likely missing entry into the municipal council, the Vienna KPÖ expressed satisfaction on Sunday with the initial trend forecasts. "If the four percent hold, we are really very satisfied," said Barbara Urbanic, top candidate of the joint list of KPÖ and LINKS, to the APA. This means a doubling compared to the result of the last Vienna election. "That would be a great confirmation for us that we are on the right path," said Urbanic. Even if it is not enough for entry this time, it will work out next time, the KPÖ politician consoled herself. The election campaign was very difficult for small parties due to the short notice of the election. The Communists hope for "very strong" gains in the district council election.

Voglauer Sees "Trend Reversal Achieved" in Vienna

Vienna. The Green Party Secretary General Olga Voglauer reacted euphorically in light of the first projections. "A sensation has been achieved in Vienna," she said at the Vienna City Hall. Considering that polls had seen her party at seven percent a year ago, it is "a great result for the Greens," said Voglauer. "In Vienna, we have achieved a trend reversal," she assessed the impact for the federal Greens.

"Apparently, the voters want the Greens back," Voglauer said with a view to a possible revival of the red-green coalition in the Vienna City Hall that ended in 2020.

Green Party leader Werner Kogler showed relief and joy after the projection for the Vienna municipal council election: "After a green comeback, the trend reversal has been achieved, and we see: The voters want a comeback of the Greens in the city government," he reads from the result.

Now it is up to Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) to decide "whether Vienna will move into a positive future with the Greens, remain pale with the Neos, or turn back to the past with an ÖVP that has suffered massive losses in this election," said Kogler. "Judith Pühringer and her team are not only ready to tackle the major challenges such as climate protection, affordable housing, and good coexistence in a stable city government - the Greens in Vienna are also exactly the right ones for this," Kogler is convinced.

Previously, Green state leaders had already expressed their hope for a comeback in the Vienna city government, after trend forecasts suggested that there might no longer be a majority for SPÖ and NEOS. Burgenland's Green spokesperson Anja Haider-Wallner spoke of an "encouraging result." A "coalition for climate protection, affordable housing, and social cohesion" is certainly possible, said Haider-Wallner, herself deputy governor in a red-green state government.

Gebi Mair from the Tyrolean Green leadership saw a "good day for us Greens" in an initial reaction. Red-Pink did not receive the electorate's trust for another term, and the ÖVP is not a stable option as the "clear election loser." "Therefore, there is now the chance for a red-green change in Vienna, which I am very pleased about," said Mair. The Greens started the election campaign at a low level and noticed the tailwind for the party with Leonore Gewessler. The SPÖ must now decide whether they are with the Greens for real social and environmental policy, "we are ready."

Upper Austria's state spokesperson Stefan Kaineder was also exuberant: "What a comeback. In the national elections, the Green result was clearly single-digit. And just a year ago, it was ten percent for the Greens in Vienna in polls. And then this sprint, which has led them today to third place, miles ahead of ÖVP and NEOS," he thanked top candidate Judith Pühringer and sees the "Green turnaround as more than successful." The Greens are "of course ready to take on government responsibility in the city," which would also create a strong corrective to a federal government, said Kaineder.

Lower Austria's state spokesperson Helga Krismer also hopes for Green participation in the government in the federal capital. For her, the result is "a clear signal that green politics works - in Vienna just as it does with us in Lower Austria." A "green turnaround" has been achieved, she also stated.

There is also joy in Styria: Styrian Green leader Sandra Krautwaschl congratulated Judith Pühringer and the Vienna Greens "on this really strong result. The first projection with 14.7 percent is a clear signal for climate protection and social justice - and is close to the record result of 2020. We look from Styria with confidence and excitement at the next steps - and at the chance for the Greens in Vienna to take on government responsibility again."

The Green top candidate Judith Pühringer is "more than satisfied" with the first projection of the Vienna election. It is a "fantastic result," she told ORF. They had started a "comeback" and are now just short of the best result in Vienna. Pühringer saw a "clear mandate" from the voters to focus on green issues. She now wants to connect climate and social justice.

"We have made many proposals for solutions," said the top candidate about the Green election campaign. Subsequently, there should be a "stable coalition." To this end, Pühringer wants to conduct exploratory talks with the SPÖ. She wants to bring in topics such as housing, climate, and education.

ÖVP state organizations react cautiously

The first ÖVP state parties reacted cautiously on Sunday evening to the result of the Vienna election. They held back on criticism of top candidate Karl Mahrer. "Karl Mahrer and his team conducted an engaged election campaign under difficult overall circumstances," summarized Lower Austria's ÖVP state manager Matthias Zauner. "Lower Austria will continue its partnership with Vienna in the sense of a strong eastern region in the future."

Salzburg's VP leader Wilfried Haslauer congratulated - also as the current chairman of the state governors' conference - Mayor Michael Ludwig on the first place. "I regret the losses of the Vienna People's Party with their top candidate Karl Mahrer, who conducted an engaged election campaign despite adverse circumstances," said Haslauer in a statement after the first projection.

"A loss in an election is never satisfactory. Nevertheless, Karl Mahrer and his team fought for every vote until the last minute and showed great commitment," explained the new acting ÖVP state party chairman in Burgenland, Christoph Zarits.

Vienna's ÖVP leader Karl Mahrer admitted defeat in the Vienna election during the ORF top candidate round on Sunday evening: "One thing is very clear, the People's Party has lost votes massively, that was also to be expected." He pointed out that the FPÖ had lost massively in the 2020 election - and has now gained again. "That is to be respected."

When asked if he was considering resigning, he referred to the party committees, which are to be convened in the coming days. However, he said the results should be awaited first. Mahrer noted that the counting level was still very low.

The federal ÖVP described the result of the state party in the Vienna municipal council election as a "painful result" on Sunday. "I don't want to sugarcoat that," said ÖVP General Secretary Nico Marchetti in the evening, adding that "humility" was now appropriate. When asked if top candidate Karl Mahrer should step down, he referred to the party committees.

It is a "team sport," said Marchetti, but one thing is "clear": At the party committees on Monday, "everything will be put to the test." However, he did not want to preempt this, "I would find that presumptuous," he said. Despite the disappointing result of only 9.6 percent according to projections, he thanked the officials. The right conclusions must now be drawn from the election outcome.

Asked whether this result could be a mandate to enter a government, Marchetti said it is in the DNA of the ÖVP to take responsibility. However, the ball is now in the court of Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), whom he congratulated on the election victory.

Florian Hiegelsberger, state manager of the Upper Austrian ÖVP, saw confirmation of Mayor Ludwig's "intact incumbency bonus" in an interview with ORF Upper Austria. "Karl Mahrer and his team fought passionately for a better Vienna. But Vienna remains challenging terrain for the ÖVP - this has been shown again today," said Hiegelsberger. There were no statements from the ÖVP state organizations in Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The ÖVP Carinthia also stated that they do not comment on other election results.

Novak: Basically "already a very good result"

The first trend forecasts for the Vienna municipal council election on Sunday were received with applause by the SPÖ in the town hall club. State party secretary Barbara Novak showed purposeful optimism in an initial reaction. "Not a single vote has been counted yet," she emphasized, noting that a long election evening lay ahead. Basically, 37 percent would be "already a very good result" and a great vote of confidence for Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), Novak said.

The SPÖ is clearly the strongest party in terms of votes, and Ludwig is expected to remain the mayor of the federal capital, said the state party secretary. She explained the losses with the general trend that governing parties lose in elections after the crisis years with the pandemic, the Ukraine war, and inflation.

The SPÖ did not plan an election party for the election evening, probably also because at least slight losses were expected. Officially, it is said that the officials are busy counting the votes until the late hours and have no time to celebrate.

SPÖ Burgenland Congratulates, But With a Jab at the Federal Government

The SPÖ Burgenland congratulated their Viennese party colleagues, but state manager Kevin Friedl further explained: "Today's result also clearly shows that the federal government in its current constellation, which is primarily burdened with the dismantling of the ÖVP debt legacy, does not mean a tailwind for social democracy."

Nevertheless, the SPÖ Vienna was able to "convince and achieve a strong result," said Friedl. He also referred to the result of the Burgenland state election in January: "With today's day, it is also evident in retrospect how strong social democracy as the governor's party with Hans Peter Doskozil performed with 46.38 percent on January 19, 2025."

ÖVP State Manager Sees Election Goal Achieved in Vienna Election

The Vienna ÖVP state manager Peter Sverak sees an election goal of his party achieved in the Vienna election: "We are definitely capable of governing," he said after the publication of the first trend forecast. This forecasts the ÖVP a result of 11.5 percent, a decrease of about 9 percentage points. The desired SPÖ-ÖVP coalition would thus be feasible, Sverak said at the party headquarters.

The functionaries reacted with restrained applause to the forecast. Sverak noted that different conditions prevailed than in the 2020 election. The ÖVP has historically always had it "a bit more difficult" in Vienna.

There were commendable words for the "solid" election campaign: The People's Party took clear positions and focused strongly on issues - such as security, education, health, and economy.

The trend forecast says the same as all previous surveys, said state parliament member Harald Zierfuß to the APA. The SPÖ must enter into a coalition with the ÖVP if it takes the problems in Vienna seriously, he said. The exploratory talks should be led by top candidate Karl Mahrer.

For state parliament member Ingrid Korosec, Mahrer was also the right top candidate. After the departure of former party leader Sebastian Kurz from politics, the other state parties also suffered losses in elections, she said about the trend forecast result. Korosec also hopes for a coalition with the SPÖ. Opposition work is of course also interesting, "but you can shape things in government." The chances of this are high, after all, she appreciates Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) as a pragmatist.

FPÖ Cautiously Celebrates

The Freedom Party cautiously celebrates in light of preliminary figures for the Vienna election. "If this trend should solidify, then it would be a tripling and thus a great success for the FPÖ," said state party secretary Lukas Brucker to the APA in view of the first trend forecast. "We conducted a sensational election campaign with Dominik Nepp, and the Viennese increasingly desire more security and fairness."

Officially, the FPÖ, who followed the election outcome partly in a wine tavern next to the town hall, did not want to celebrate yet. "This is only a forecast and not a projection with concrete voter numbers. Therefore, these data should be taken with great caution," Brucker initially qualified. A statement from party leader and top candidate Nepp is expected only after the first projection.

In the FPÖ, the joy over the performance in the Vienna election was naturally high according to the trend forecast. Several state party leaders congratulated top candidate Dominik Nepp remarkably quickly after the first numbers were announced and saw it primarily as a signal to federal politics.

The people of Vienna had made "a clear decision" for "more fairness, more social justice, and a policy that finally takes the concerns of Austrians seriously," said Salzburg's Deputy Governor Marlene Svazek. She sees the FPÖ's performance as "a vote of confidence for the Freedom Party," but also a "clear signal to the entire federal politics."

Similarly, Upper Austria's Deputy Governor Manfred Haimbuchner: "The blue wave of success continues to roll, and the Viennese have set a sign for the desire for change at the ballot box. However, this result is also a clear rejection of the federal government." He was also pleased not only that the FPÖ could triple its result but also about "the historically worst result of the comrades in the federal capital."

Styria's Governor Mario Kunasek congratulated Nepp almost word for word: "The voters have thus set a strong sign for change in the federal capital and confirmed the honest path of the FPÖ, which puts people at the center. Dominik Nepp took over the party in 2019 during a difficult phase and led it to a well-deserved success for the Viennese population today with straightforward work."

The FPÖ was able to "impressively win" the trust of the Viennese, said Burgenland's state party chairman Alexander Petschnig in a statement. It has been shown that people "are looking for a real alternative to the red-black power cartel," Petschnig also saw a "clear mandate" for the Freedom Party.

Also, the blue faction leader in the EU Parliament, Harald Vilimsky, does not expect a coalition in the federal capital. In view of the emerging numbers, the Viennese see the course of the Freedom Party also confirmed in terms of content. "These issues will have to be considered by anyone who wants to govern in this city," he said in an initial reaction. Vilimsky is "extremely" pleased with the result for the Freedom Party. Other blue officials also spoke of a "rebirth" of the party in Vienna on election night.

Greens hope for "solid result" in Vienna election

With cautious optimism, the Green state party leader Peter Kraus reacted to the trend forecast for the Vienna election. The figures are "not yet a result," but are "slightly above the last surveys," he told APA. If the 12.5 percent is confirmed, it would be a "solid result," said Kraus. Especially when looking at the surveys from a year ago, where the Greens were significantly lower. Overall, it could be exciting, said the party leader.

He hopes for an election result that follows this trend. The majority of the previous city government of SPÖ and NEOS is "shaking considerably," judged Kraus. Then there is a decision for the SPÖ and Mayor Michael Ludwig between the ÖVP and thus "towards concrete" or the Greens for the "most livable city." Kraus himself wants to continue leading the city party together with top candidate Judith Pühringer.

Similarly, the Green club chairman in the town hall, David Ellensohn, expressed: "Even more would be even better for me," he said on "Puls24." However, the trend forecast is "much better" than the expectations at the beginning of the year. As an important task for the next city government, Ellensohn saw the issue of affordable housing. A vacancy tax could only be implemented by the SPÖ with the Greens, which would "bring money into the coffers." And that is necessary because: "Unfortunately, Vienna has a large deficit."

Green State Leaders Hope for Coalition with SPÖ

The Greens sense a chance for Red-Green, after - at least according to trend forecasts - Red-Pink in Vienna is unlikely to happen. Burgenland's Green spokesperson Anja Haider-Wallner spoke of an "encouraging result." A "coalition for climate protection, affordable housing, and social cohesion" is certainly possible, said Haider-Wallner, herself deputy governor in a red-green state government.

Vienna. Gebi Mair from the Tyrolean Green leadership saw a "good day for us Greens" in an initial reaction. Red-Pink did not receive the electorate's trust for another term, and the ÖVP is not a stable option as the "clear election loser." "Therefore, there is now the chance for a red-green change in Vienna, which I am very pleased about," said Mair. The Greens started the election campaign at a low level and noticed the tailwind for the party with Leonore Gewessler. The SPÖ must now decide whether they are with the Greens for real social and environmental policy, "we are ready."

KPÖ Lead Candidate Satisfied with Trend Forecasts

Despite likely missing entry into the municipal council, the Vienna KPÖ expressed satisfaction with the first trend forecasts on Sunday. "If the four percent hold, we are really very satisfied," said Barbara Urbanic, lead candidate of the joint list of KPÖ and LINKS, to the APA. This would mean a doubling compared to the result of the last Vienna election. "That would be a great confirmation for us that we are on the right path," said Urbanic.

Even if it doesn't work out this time, it will next time, the KPÖ politician consoled herself. The election campaign was very difficult for small parties due to the short notice of the election. The Communists hope for "very strong" gains in the district council elections, where they currently hold 23 mandates in 15 districts.

KPÖ federal spokesperson Tobias Schweiger sees his party's predicted performance in the Vienna election with a four percent vote share as a "historic election result," regardless of whether the five percent hurdle is ultimately cleared or not. Speaking to ORF on Sunday evening before the first counting results were available, he emphasized that it certainly looks like a doubling, after the KPÖ was just over two percent in the 2020 alliance with LINKS.

Vienna. "Unfortunately, fortune-telling is not a communist trait, but we would of course be satisfied with four percent," said Schweiger. The hurdle in Vienna is a special case and hard to crack. In any other federal state, one would be in the state parliament with four percent. Schweiger also expects a strengthening in the districts and is generally pleased with the growing support.

Everything about the Vienna Election

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.