Vienna Election Campaign Reaches Finale on Friday

The Vienna election campaign reached its finale on Friday. In rainy weather, the mayor's party SPÖ, ÖVP, and NEOS once again mobilized their supporters. The Greens were lucky, holding an indoor event. The Vienna FPÖ had already concluded its campaign at Vienna's Stephansplatz on Thursday evening.

SPÖ Before Vienna Election in Favoriten

At the Viktor-Adler-Markt in Vienna-Favoriten, Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) asked for the opportunity to remain Vienna's mayor. Before listeners in rain ponchos and under umbrellas, the city leader highlighted the achievements of the Vienna SPÖ and drew lines against political competitors during the late afternoon campaign conclusion.

The SPÖ is "not a fair-weather party," the mayor remarked in light of the wet weather conditions. Before his supporters, he praised the qualities of Vienna and the city SPÖ. They have ensured various anti-inflation measures, as well as a climate protection law, free all-day schooling, and a rent freeze in municipal housing. Additionally, they maintain good cooperation with social partners.

Mahrer with Fire Extinguisher

Previously, the ÖVP had already celebrated its campaign conclusion at the Rochusmarkt. The weather was not kind to the turquoise party either, as top candidate Karl Mahrer, in pouring rain and gusty winds, promoted the "fire extinguisher coalition" with the SPÖ, holding a fire extinguisher in hand. The action in the third district of Vienna was the starting signal for the final tour through the 23 districts.

The municipal council election on Sunday is a "directional election," Mahrer emphasized. The only way to initiate a "bourgeois correction" in the city is through ÖVP's participation in the government. "We are ready to take responsibility."

MQ Venue for Greens' Campaign Conclusion

The Greens want to return to a coalition with the SPÖ in Vienna, as they made clear once again at their campaign closing event in the Museumsquartier. In the election on Sunday, the only question is whether the Social Democrats will move back "into a concrete past" with the ÖVP or boldly go into the future with the Greens, said lead candidate Judith Pühringer in front of party supporters. She already saw the NEOS as written off.

"The city needs the Greens so that Red moves and finally things get going," emphasized Pühringer in front of cheering supporters, to whom she expressed "I think I love you very much" and praised them for their campaign efforts. It is about making the city greener and life easier for all Viennese. In recent years under Red-Pink, the city has become "not bold, rather pale, hesitant," for example in the face of exploding housing costs, but also in education policy, which the Pinks were responsible for.

Criticism from NEOS

Once again presenting themselves as the quasi-logical partner for the logical election winner - the SPÖ - were the NEOS. At the campaign closing at the Platz der Menschenrechte next to the Museumsquartier, the Pinks did not hold back with praise for the previous city government work and with criticism of the potential alternative partners - the Greens and the ÖVP. "We want to continue," was the tenor in the cool, rainy setting.

Just at the foot of the Mariahilfer Straße, which was transformed in terms of traffic during the red-green city government times, NEOS party leader and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr, who had grown out of the Vienna election campaign after his move to the federal government, as well as Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling and lead candidate Selma Arapović handed the microphone to each other. The capital's Greens were known for "show politics" - brand "Mariahilfer Straße" or temporary "Gürtelpool" - and the ÖVP now seemed "very old," they agreed.

"Contract with the Population"

The KPÖ kicked off on Friday morning, running in an electoral alliance with the LINKS list. In front of the Burgtheater, a "contract with the population" was signed at 8:00 a.m. According to this, KPÖ deputies would only keep an average skilled worker's wage and donate the rest of their salary to people in need. They also committed to not agreeing to any privatization of public property and to ensuring that the city's businesses operate for the benefit of the population. "We consistently have the interests of the Viennese in mind, who cannot rely on their bank account," said lead candidate Barbara Urbanic in a statement.

Everything about the Vienna election

(APA/Red)

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