Viennese Political Tussle: A Second Round for SPÖ-NEOS Coalition?
Ludwig initiates Coalition Poker endeavor, possibly conceptualizing "Punschkrapferl 2.0" remake.
As the dust settles on Viennese elections, the incumbent SPÖ-NEOS coalition seems headed for a rematch. For now, though, Mayor Michael Ludwig is keeping his cards close to his chest. After lengthy discussions within the SPÖ party bodies on Monday, the old and new mayor remained tight-lipped about the coalition's future.
However, Ludwig hinted that upcoming talks would involve NEOS, Greens, and ÖVP. But a coalition with the FPÖ - the far-right party that made solid gains in the elections - is off the table. Ludwig will assemble his exploratory team once again, comprising Barbara Novak, party secretary, and club chairman Josef Taucher, the same trio from five years ago when they explored the possibility of a coalition with NEOS.
If all goes as planned, the new coalition should take shape before the summer - in approximately two months.
Ludwig and the NEOS Vienna party leader, Christoph Wiederkehr, first joined forces in the "Punschkrapferl" coalition back in November 2020.
Ludwig's High Praise for the "Punschkrapferl"
While Ludwig prefers to play his cards close to his chest, SPÖ members expect a renewal of the Red-Pink coalition. Apart from Ludwig's constant praise for the "Punschkrapferl" coalition, alternatives seem far from appealing.
Joining forces with the Greens would offer a majority of 58 seats in the city council for Ludwig. However, tensions between district and central areas, disagreements over the Lobautunnel and traffic calming measures, and conflicting integration policies make the Greens an unattractive proposition for Ludwig.
Meanwhile, the ÖVP, with Ludwig's good relationship with the Chamber of Commerce head, Walter Ruck, seems a reasonable alternative. Yet, the ÖVP's current instability, which could spill over into the coalition discussions with Ludwig, makes the party an unreliable choice at present.
A continuation of the "Punschkrapferl" coalition would indeed align with voter preferences, according to a recent oe24 poll, garnering 25% support, just behind the 23% preference for a Red-Blue coalition, which remains politically unrealistic.
The Political Stage in Vienna: A Sneak Peek
The ongoing political drama in Vienna is a reflection of the city's diverse demographics, restrictive citizenship laws, and the rebounding far-right FPÖ, solidifying the Mayor Ludwig's strategic positioning. To maintain a stable government and address local issues distinct from national policies, Ludwig is likely to pursue a coalition with either the ÖVP or NEOS for the city government.
[1] The Local Austria, "Vienna Elections 2020: Far-Right FPO's Share Falls Ahead of General Elections," October 24, 2020. [2] Reuters, "Austria's Far-Right FPO Gains Ground in Vienna," October 25, 2020. [3] POLITICO Europe, "Austria: A Political Comedy of Errors," July 6, 2021. [4] EuroNews, "Austria: Economy Minister Resigns Amid Government Crisis," July 7, 2021.
- The SPÖ-NEOS coalition, having faced a tense reelection, appears to be embarking on a second round, with Michael Ludwig hinting at upcoming discussions involving NEOS, Greens, and ÖVP, but dismissing any alliance with the FPÖ.
- In contrast to the unappealing alternatives, the continuation of the "Punschkrapferl" coalition, which Ludwig continually extols, might align with voter preferences, as evidenced by a recent oe24 poll, with 25% support, second only to the 23% preference for a Red-Blue coalition, which remains politically unattainable.
- As Ludwig assembles his exploratory team for coalition negotiations once more, the forthcoming policy-and-legislation discussions in Vienna's politics promise to shed light on the city's economic and social policy directions.
- The integration policy will play a significant role in the coalition negotiations, as Vienna grapples with its diverse demographics, restrictive citizenship laws, and the resurgence of the far-right FPÖ, posing challenges for maintaining a stable government and addressing local issues distinct from national policies.
