Vienna Greens hope for a comeback as coalition partner

In the 2010s, the federal capital was greener than ever - at least politically: From 2010 to 2020, the Vienna Greens were in a governing coalition with the SPÖ for two legislative periods. After the election five years ago, it was back to the government bench. Now the party is appealing via posters to the "courage" of the Viennese and hopes for a comeback of red-green with as much voter support as possible.

Despite Record Result in Vienna Election, Sent Back to Opposition

The initial situation to remain the junior partner of the Reds was not the worst, at least in terms of results, after the last election: The Vienna Greens achieved 14.80 percent in autumn 2020, their best result ever. The Social Democrats also gained at that time - a clear mandate from voters for the continuation of red-green, one might have thought. However, Mayor and SPÖ party leader Michael Ludwig chose the NEOS as the new coalition partner.

This was not least due to the person of the then Green leader and Vice Mayor Birgit Hebein, who had alienated the Reds with various confrontational solo efforts during her two-year term. And not only them: After the descent into opposition, the Greens decided on a volte-face, resulting in Hebein no longer holding a position in the city council club. She herself resigned from the party leadership in anger and later left the party altogether.

Green Leadership Duo Followed Ousted Leader Hebein

Since then, the Greens have relied on a dual leadership: Judith Pühringer and Peter Kraus were officially elected as the leadership duo at a state assembly in October 2021, with 83.6 percent approval without opposition. For the upcoming Vienna election, Pühringer was chosen as the top candidate in mid-February with 87 percent, and Kraus is running in second place. An interesting aspect: The business economist Pühringer was presented five years ago by Hebein as an outsider with a fixed list position, and after the involuntary departure of her "discoverer," she moved to the forefront of the Greens.

As the top candidate, she now wants to revive the red-green collaboration and has cited major successes of this political liaison from the party's perspective as an argument during the recent campaign launch: traffic-calmed Mariahilfer Straße, 365-euro public transport annual ticket, child minimum security. Back then, Vienna was still courageous, under red-pink rather less so, according to the tenor.

Unexcited Opposition Role with Climate and Traffic as Topics

Whether the Greens will reach their record result from 2020 in the Vienna election on April 27 is certainly questionable. After losses in the national election and the state elections in Styria and Vorarlberg last year, the re-entry of the state party in Burgenland this January could be interpreted as a good omen for Vienna. In terms of content, the Vienna Greens have focused mainly on climate and traffic issues in the past five years of opposition, which were more unexcited than sensational.

For example, two years ago they demanded a significant redesign of the Zweierlinie during the current subway construction into a bicycle and pedestrian-friendly grand boulevard, or more recently, the significant expansion of the tram and rapid transit network. They also continue to strongly oppose the Lobau tunnel. Additionally, they want, for example, a vacancy tax in the housing sector, a photovoltaic and renovation initiative for municipal buildings, and criticize the NEOS, who, as those responsible for the Vienna education system, have left a "shambles."

Three Green District Leaders in Vienna

By no means a shambles, but at least a few crumbs were also present internally within the party recently. The municipal councilor Ömer Öztas was expelled from the party after he apparently "infiltrated" supporters as new party members to secure his re-election during the list creation at the state assembly in February. At this party meeting, veteran Martin Margulies had to accept the abrupt end of his political career. The base refused the long-time budget spokesperson the necessary support in the so-called admission vote, which long-standing mandate holders must face to be allowed to run again.

Fundamentally, the party has recently shown itself to be harmonious. This was not always the case. Especially in the early days, there were repeatedly loud disputes between the former "Fundi" and "Realo" wings. The first attempt to enter the state parliament and municipal council was made by the Green-Alternatives, which emerged from the Alternative List Vienna (ALW) that had already run in 1983, in 1987. They narrowly failed at that time, and it was not until the 1991 election that they entered the city parliament - with 9.08 percent of the votes and seven mandates. They are also quite successful at the district level, currently providing the leader in three districts.

(APA/Red)

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