Party Committees Convene After Burgenland Election
ÖVP state party chairman Christian Sagartz retains his position after the loss in the Burgenland election on Sunday. He had put his person up for discussion, he said at a press conference after the state party executive on Monday. The executive unanimously expressed confidence in him, with one abstention, and entrusted him with preliminary talks about a possible coalition with Doskozil.
Burgenland Election Brought Negative Record for ÖVP
The result of around 22.0 percent of the votes was the historically worst for the ÖVP in a Burgenland state election. However, the People's Party still aims to participate in the government, as they want to implement the program, Sagartz told journalists. He believes he has a stable relationship with Doskozil, despite past friction. ÖVP state managing director Patrik Fazekas also remains in office.
The main topic at the board meeting was the reasons for the ÖVP's performance, said Sagartz. He mentioned, among other things, the election campaign cost limit of 300,000 euros and the federal political U-turn of the ÖVP, which is now conducting coalition negotiations with the FPÖ under Herbert Kickl despite contrary statements. The discussion about a savings package also did not help the state ÖVP in the election campaign. Doskozil, who stands for a certain course in the country, was elected by a majority. The opportunity to bring about change, on the other hand, was mainly attributed to the FPÖ, which came in second place ahead of the ÖVP.
However, the former member of the state parliament and ÖVP mayor of Wiesen, Matthias Weghofer, called for Sagartz's resignation. He should follow the example of the resigned Chancellor and ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer, resign and release the ÖVP Burgenland from his "hostage situation", he is quoted in media reports. Weghofer is known as a critic of the ÖVP chairman and had demanded his resignation even before his nomination as top candidate.
Even before the meeting, there was a subdued mood among the board members. "After a day like yesterday, this is certainly not a day of joy," said club chairman Markus Ulram to the APA. The mood is "naturally disappointing because of the result," said the Second President of the State Parliament Walter Temmel. Now we have to try to "bring about a good program again".
"Blue Monday" after Burgenland Election
The Freedom Party, on the other hand, is having a "blue Monday" without a meeting. They are planning a meeting of the state party executive committee on Thursday evening. There will be an election analysis, and a potential coalition with the SPÖ will also be a topic, the party told APA. The discussion will be about what needs to be implemented during a government cooperation and who could negotiate this - names such as top candidate Norbert Hofer, chairman Alexander Petschnig and party secretary Daniel Jägerbauer were mentioned.
The Greens are meeting online at 6.30 pm on Monday. This is necessary because the state party executive committee consists of people who work regular jobs, it was said to APA. The election results will be discussed, as well as a possible invitation from the SPÖ for coalition talks. Before the appointment, they were ready for government negotiations: "If the SPÖ invites us for talks, I will suggest to the state executive committee to form a negotiation team that represents our positions as best as possible and explores the conditions for possible government participation," the green top candidate Anja Haider-Wallner is quoted in a press release. The ball is in Governor Doskozil's court.
SPÖ Lost Absolute Majority
The SPÖ lost the absolute majority on Sunday, but was by far the first and now has to go partner hunting. From state party leader Doskozil downwards, the Reds have already let it be known that they want to have talks with everyone in principle. They want to govern with the party that can best implement the red content. With Red-Green, Doskozil would be breaking new ground and could continue to present himself as a counterpoint to the federal government. However, he also has no reservations about the Blues - here, for example, there would be agreements on the asylum issue. With the ÖVP, a personnel change would probably be necessary for a fruitful cooperation.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.