First Reactions of the Parties to the State Election in Burgenland 2025

The projection for the Burgenland state election on Sunday caused great jubilation at the FPÖ. Top candidate Norbert Hofer was pleased that the Freedom Party could more than double its share to 22.8 percent compared to the 2020 election. "For us, the result is of course very pleasing," he stated in the Freedom Party's club in the Eisenstadt Landhaus.

State Election in Burgenland: Great Jubilation at FPÖ

As the bar for the Freedom Party moved upwards, a murmur went through the crowd, followed by applause. Hofer was pleased about the significant increase. They had gained a lot - "as the only party," stated the former Third National Council President. The FPÖ gained about 13 percentage points. In 2020, they had achieved 9.8 percent under the impression of the Ibiza affair.

Hofer: Government Formation will be "Very Exciting"

The only downside: "Of course, I would have preferred if no coalition could have been possible without us," Hofer said. Celebrating with him were, among others, National Council President Walter Rosenkranz, State Party Chairman Alexander Petschnig and Club Chairman Johann Tschürtz.

The often-discussed variant in advance, that Hofer could be made governor in a coalition with the ÖVP, does not work out according to the projection. The only possibility against the SPÖ would be a government of the People's Party, Freedom Party and the Greens - rather unlikely, as Hofer found. Governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) is now on the move to find a partner. If he were invited, he would have talks with him, Hofer emphasized. The formation of the government will be "very exciting" in the coming weeks.

In an interview with ORF, Hofer once again affirmed his desire to stay in Burgenland - even without a government office. The federal presidential election 2028 is therefore not an issue for him.

Club Chairman Tschürtz Wants to "Definitely" Govern with SPÖ

State Party Chairman Petschnig spoke of a "sensational, historical result" and thanked the people of Burgenland for their support. The ball is now in the SPÖ's court. The Freedom Party is of course ready for coalition talks, he emphasized: "If they call us, we are very happy to go into government negotiations."

Club chairman Johann Tschürtz expressed even clearer support for government participation. He told the APA he was "glad that we are second" and now wants to "definitely" govern with the SPÖ: "That would even be a two-thirds majority".

Rosenkranz Celebrates "Historic Result" for FPÖ

National Council President Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ) was pleased with the party's "historically best result" after the forecast for the state election in Burgenland. He was "very happy" and congratulated top candidate Norbert Hofer, whose return to Burgenland had now been rewarded, Rosenkranz told the APA. However, a blue government participation is not a must for him. "You don't have to submit just to govern, for its own sake."

If there is no government participation, the FPÖ will be a "strong, profiled and professional opposition". He could well imagine Hofer in both roles, Rosenkranz said with a smile: "You could almost say: We Freedom Party can do everything in politics."

Kunasek: "Political Reversal of Trend Confirmed"

The Styrian governor Mario Kunasek (FPÖ) saw in the result of the Freedom Party in Burgenland a course of "political trend reversal in Austria" confirmed. He congratulated Hofer and was pleased that the SPÖ may have lost the absolute majority: "Across Austria, people can increasingly identify with freedom-oriented content, as today's election result has also proven."

Kunasek recognized a "strong desire for political change in the population". The voter's vote shows "that the people of Burgenland also long for a freedom-oriented handwriting in the future state government in their federal state".

Upper Austria's state party leader and deputy governor Manfred Haimbuchner congratulated the FPÖ Burgenland and Hofer on the "historically best result and second place in the state election". The result also clearly showed for him: "The citizens want a political change."

Landbauer Pleased About Fall of the Red "Absolute"

FPÖ Lower Austria state party chairman Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer spoke of a "historic electoral success" in Burgenland. The courage, determination and honesty of top candidate Norbert Hofer have been rewarded. The FPÖ is "as strong as never before" in Burgenland and has been able to clearly increase as the only party. "The fact that the SPÖ absolute has fallen rounds off this pleasing election day", Landbauer said in a statement.

Puchwein Confirms "Burgenland Way"

SPÖ State Manager Jasmin Puchwein confirmed the "Burgenland Way" after the first projection. Regarding the fact that the election goal of holding the 18th mandate, thus preventing a state government against the SPÖ, was not achieved, she said that the final result still needs to be awaited. She also left open with whom the first conversation about a possible coalition could be conducted.

Eisenstadt. "If you work hard and a lot for the people, you get a lot back. We have shown that politics pays off for the people," said Puchwein. All over Europe, governing parties are being punished: "Not with us," she was pleased to say.

The projection had only been known for a few minutes, State Party Leader Hans Peter Doskozil will now discuss the next steps with his team: "Nothing is set yet. It's about content," emphasized the state manager. "Let's wait and see what happens. The goal was for the Burgenland Way to continue and it has been confirmed," Puchwein said about the fact that the 18th mandate could not be held.

Doskozil's Statement to Come Later

The red top candidate Doskozil followed the projection in his governor's office with his closest team. There were no statements at first, he was only available for photos and video recordings. A first statement was announced after the round of top candidates at around 6 pm.

Among the guests in the governor's office were the government team, State Parliament President Robert Hergovich, Doskozil's predecessor Hans Niessl, the new Styrian state party chairman Max Lercher and the state management, but not representatives of the federal party. When the projection and the individual values were displayed, applause broke out, followed by congratulations and backslapping - and a kiss for Doskozil from his wife Julia.

NEOS Missed Entry into Burgenland State Parliament

The NEOS missed the entry into the Burgenland state parliament. National Council member Yannick Shetty was still optimistic in the first interviews. "A plus is a plus," Shetty told ORF about the increase of 0.1 percentage points in the first projection. "We have never been so good before." However, he admitted: "We would have wished for more." Looking ahead, he said: "We will build on what we have achieved."

When asked whether it was a mistake to commit to the opposition role in Burgenland from the outset, Shetty replied: It is "tragic for Burgenland that the other parties will now vie to make it even cheaper for Doskozil." He added that in the end it was a duel between SPÖ top candidate Hans Peter Doskozil and FPÖ list leader Norbert Hofer.

Shortly after being asked by Puls 24 whether the outcome of this election was related to the federal party's decision to withdraw from coalition negotiations, Shetty denied a connection. "The voters know that there are different elections at different levels."

Secretary General Douglas Hoyos also looked ahead. "Even if the plus is not enough to enter the state parliament, we take on the task as a 'control force' in the fight against the red network with energy and immediately start working on the municipal election 27," Hoyos said on the short message service X.

NEOS-Schneider: "We Have Ruffled Feathers"

NEOS top candidate Christoph Schneider tries to spread optimism despite the clear failure to enter the Burgenland state parliament. "We have never been as visible as we are now," he announced to his team. "We were loud, we have ruffled feathers. People understand our message, they have reacted positively." The population now knows "that we do not side with (Governor Hans Peter, note) Doskozil, but with the people of Burgenland."

According to the second projection, the NEOS are at 1.9 percent. That's 0.2 percentage points more than in the last Burgenland election.

Sagartz Finds the Result "Disappointing"

For the Burgenland ÖVP top candidate Christian Sagartz, the result of the first projection after the state election is "disappointing". It is "not a good day for us as a people's party," he said in a written statement to the APA. State Managing Director Patrik Fazekas expressed similar sentiments. He attributed the reasons for the worst ÖVP result in Burgenland so far to an unfavourable political climate for the ÖVP.

In addition, they had "two political heavyweights" as opponents, the state managing director referred to the top candidates Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) and Norbert Hofer (FPÖ). Although the SPÖ's absolute majority is history - there was no majority for the change sought by the ÖVP. However, they still want to take on government responsibility.

Federal ÖVP Disappointed About "Painful Losses"

The Federal ÖVP is disappointed with the result of the state election in Burgenland. Secretary General Alexander Pröll spoke of "painful losses" after the publication of the projections. At the same time, however, SPÖ Governor Hans Peter Doskozil will have to look for a partner in the future, said Pröll: "It is a pity that the Burgenland People's Party has to accept a loss of votes despite its good work and its committed election campaign."

The ÖVP sees the reasons for the poor performance in the "challenging situation at the federal level" as well as in a media focus on the duel between Governor Doskozil and the FPÖ top candidate Norbert Hofer. "This escalation has cost important votes", even though Hofer "fell short of high expectations", emphasized Pröll.

Federal Greens' Re-entry "Huge Success"

For Olga Voglauer, Secretary General of the Federal Green Party, the performance of the Greens in the Burgenland state elections feels "like a huge success" despite moderate losses of votes. If the result of the first projection holds, the Greens with their two mandates will now "be the balance of power", Voglauer said on Sunday at the Eisenstadt Landhaus.

Regarding a government cooperation with the SPÖ, the ball is now in Governor Hans Peter Doskozil's (SPÖ) court, according to Voglauer. The Greens are ready to take responsibility and make progressive politics in Burgenland. "With the Greens, a different vision would be possible in Burgenland than that of the concreters", said Voglauer.

Greens Want to Co-govern

Green state spokeswoman and top candidate Anja Haider Wallner reacted relieved after the first projection of the outcome of the Burgenland state elections. The Greens remain in the state parliament - and want to co-govern: "The ball is now in Governor Hans Peter Doskozil's court. He can go into the past with blue or into the future with green. We are ready to take responsibility."

The Greens would be ready for talks and have "many ideas on how we can make Burgenland more livable", said Haider-Wallner in an initial written statement. The danger that the Greens would not make it into the state parliament was real: "Some had already written us off completely." She is therefore pleased that a catch-up and a "solid/good result" was achieved and the mandates could be maintained.

Relief about the re-entry into the Burgenland state parliament was also felt after the first projection in the bursting club room of the Greens at the Eisenstadt Landhaus. "A stone fell from my heart", said state managing director Marita Demattio. The current events at the federal level around blue-black would have certainly provided a tailwind, Demattio noted. In the country, they now see a government mandate for the Greens.

Vienna's Greens Pleased with "Turnaround"

The Vienna Greens, who also have an election to fight soon, congratulated. "The Greens are re-entering the state parliament and have initiated a turnaround with a catch-up against the polls. This means that climate protection and soil protection, transparency and the preservation of the village centers are again strongly represented in the Burgenland state parliament", party leader Judith Pühringer was pleased in a statement sent to the APA.

"We, the Greens, are to be reckoned with," commented Gebi Mair, the Green Party leader in Tyrol, on the election results in Burgenland. The party had been written off, but now it is "even in a strategically advantageous position". The election results also show that "even for the Freedom Party, dreams of absolute majorities do not grow to the sky" and also what people think of the "broken promises" of the People's Party.

The Greens of Burgenland have "shown what is possible with commitment and a clear message," stated Hikmet Arslan, the party's state manager in Lower Austria. They have "absolutely achieved a good result". "Especially in times like these, we need critical, green voices more than ever," Arslan emphasized.

Government Participation "Beautiful Vision"

The Styrian Green Party leader Sandra Krautwaschl was also pleased about the Greens' continued presence in the Burgenland state parliament: "Given the difficult situation we are in, it is gratifying that we apparently managed to hold both mandates. A big thank you goes to the people in Burgenland who have placed their trust in us Greens. They are slowly realizing that it will be very important for the future if the Greens have a say in the state parliaments."

One reason for holding the mandates might have been that the issue of preserving our livelihoods and fair social balance no longer comes up in discussions and negotiations at the federal level. She did not want to make a recommendation as to whether the Greens should go into a possible government with Doskozil, but it is a "beautiful vision" of a government in which the Greens also stand up for the things they were elected for, Krautwaschl said.

Molnar: "I'm Doing Well"

Geza Molnar, the top candidate for the Hausverstand list, "clearly missed" entering the state parliament, he admitted to the APA on Sunday afternoon: "The conditions and circumstances were difficult. I thank each and every voter." And: "I'm doing well. I'm glad I did it," he further explained.

Eisenstadt. When asked whether the former FPÖ politician could now work again with the Freedom Party, Molnar said: "There are currently no considerations, but I don't want to rule anything out."

Everything about the Burgenland election

(APA/Red)

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