First Reactions of the Parties to the Vienna Election 2025

SPÖ Celebrated Projection

The SPÖ received the results of the first projection for the Vienna election on Sunday with delight. The SPÖ state party chairman, Mayor Michael Ludwig, watched the presentation on television in the Red Salon of the Town Hall together with members of the city government and other top red officials. When the bars appeared on the screen, they were cheered.

There were initially no statements there, but the assembled red grandees seemed visibly relieved. The result was significantly better than the previously published trend forecast - although the result of the projection was within the margin of error of the forecast.

SPÖ federal party leader Andreas Babler congratulated Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig on the election victory in the municipal council election and sees it as a "tailwind" for the federal SPÖ. The election result strengthens the entire social democracy and gives a lot of tailwind for the tasks ahead, said Babler on election night in a statement.

The Vice Chancellor spoke of a "great success and a strong vote for a social-democratically led Vienna." Babler praised the committed election campaign of the Vienna state party "with social-democratic core themes, reliable policies for the benefit of the people, and solutions for affordable housing and a strong healthcare system."

SPÖ federal manager Klaus Seltenheim also congratulated the Vienna SPÖ and Ludwig "from the bottom of his heart" and spoke of a "very, very good election result." The last few months have shown that normally the ruling parties are rather punished, "that did not happen today," said Seltenheim to the APA. He explained the slight losses compared to the election result five years ago by saying that "the narrative from all other parties, that it is already clear that Ludwig will be mayor," had caught on a bit.

The SPÖ Burgenland congratulated their Vienna party colleagues, but state manager Kevin Friedl further explained: "Today's result also shows very clearly that the federal government in its current constellation, which is primarily burdened with the dismantling of the ÖVP debt legacy, does not mean tailwind for social democracy."

Nevertheless, the SPÖ Vienna was able to "convince and achieve a strong result," said Friedl. He also referred to the result of the Burgenland state election in January: "With today's day, it is also evident in retrospect how strong social democracy as a state governor party with Hans Peter Doskozil performed with 46.38 percent on January 19, 2025."

The comrades in the other federal states reacted with fewer reservations: As the state party chairman of the SPÖ Carinthia, he was particularly pleased "when our common line - for social security, affordable housing & equal opportunities - is so clearly confirmed by the people," said Carinthia's SPÖ leader Governor Peter Kaiser on X (formerly Twitter).

The election victory of the SPÖ Vienna shows that consistent work, clear stance, and real solutions resonate with the people. This result is far more than a Viennese phenomenon, it is "a strong and encouraging signal for the entire SPÖ in Austria," said the leadership trio of the Salzburg SPÖ, Barbara Thöny, Bettina Brandauer, and Peter Eder in a statement. The result shows that "social and thoughtful politics" is rewarded and confirms the successful course of social democracy in Austria.

The Styrian SPÖ leader Max Lercher said: "This very strong result brings further stability to the federal capital in turbulent times. It is particularly gratifying that Mayor Ludwig can decide on the coalition form for the next five years. This makes progressive politics possible in Vienna, where improving the living reality of citizens is at the center."

For Health Councillor Peter Hacker (SPÖ), today's performance must be taken "with true humility." The voters' decision is "clear," he said after the release of the first projections. Mayor Ludwig has "clearly" won the election "together with us as a team." However, one must still "keep a cool head."

Regarding a possible renewal with the NEOS as a partner in the city government, Hacker remained reserved: "Now we are at the point where we will discuss and analyze this in our party committees tomorrow - then we will see further."

Hafenecker sees "clear mandate"

FPÖ General Secretary Christian Hafenecker sees a "clear mandate" for his party in the first projections of the Vienna election, as well as a "setback" for the governing parties. It is thanks to the "dishonest politics" of the ÖVP that they have achieved a single-digit result for now, he said in an interview with the APA. SPÖ Mayor Michael Ludwig must also now consider whether he wants to continue the exclusion policy towards the Freedom Party.

Hafenecker thanked the voters for the great trust, which has almost led to a tripling in Vienna. "We Freedom Party members continue the historic gains in all possible elections," he expressed confidence for the future. "The Freedom Party election movement remains unbroken with our Herbert Kickl at the helm," he also credited his party leader with the success.

In the FPÖ, the joy over the performance in the Vienna election was naturally high according to trend forecasts. Several state party leaders congratulated top candidate Dominik Nepp remarkably quickly after the first numbers were announced and saw it primarily as a signal to federal politics. "Today we saw that the blue wave of success continues to roll," said FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz after the release of the first projection.

In response to the ORF's statement that they did not reach the former record result of 2015 under former party leader Heinz-Christian Strache, Schnedlitz was annoyed: "The cards are, of course, completely reshuffled. You can try to downplay a Freedom Party election result that has tripled through the ORF. We would have expected something different from you." From the federal party's perspective, they are satisfied with the result, said Schnedlitz.

FPÖ leader Dominik Nepp stated that he is "hugely" pleased with the election result, but he is also humble at the same time. "We have tripled in terms of percentages and mandates, which I see as a desire for change," said Nepp. Actually, there should be a red-blue coalition according to the voters' will, said the Freedom Party state leader and called on Ludwig to "stop the exclusion policy."

Party leader Herbert Kickl recognized a "rebuke" for Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) and wants to accept the Freedom Party's success humbly. The strong result for the FPÖ shows that people also want change in Vienna. It is also a confirmation of the FPÖ's overall straightforward course, for credibility and honesty.

Similarly, Upper Austrian Deputy Governor Manfred Haimbuchner: "The blue wave of success continues to roll, and the Viennese have set a sign for the desire for change at the ballot box. However, this result is also a clear rejection of the federal government." He was also pleased not only that the FPÖ could triple its result but also about "the historically worst result of the comrades in the federal capital."

Styria's Governor Mario Kunasek congratulated Nepp almost word for word: "The voters have thus set a strong sign for change in the federal capital and confirmed the honest path of the FPÖ, which puts people at the center. Dominik Nepp took over the party in 2019 during a difficult phase and led it to a well-deserved success today with straightforward work for the Viennese population."

"The incumbent federal government, against the voters' will, was punished by the voters for the first time today," summarized Tyrol's FPÖ state party chairman Markus Abwerzger. The tripling of the FPÖ is a "huge success" for top candidate Dominik Nepp, his team, the party, and the community of values. The result is also a great achievement of FPÖ federal party chairman Herbert Kickl. The Austrian population deserves "something better," "just like the Viennese."

The FPÖ was able to "impressively gain" the trust of the Viennese, said the Burgenland state party chairman Alexander Petschnig in a statement. It has been shown that people are "looking for a real alternative to the red-black power cartel," Petschnig also saw a "clear mandate" for the Freedom Party.

Emmerling (NEOS) Advocated for Continuation of the Coalition with the SPÖ

Vienna's Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling (NEOS) advocated for a continuation of the coalition with the SPÖ. It was the best result the Liberals have ever had in Vienna. They have shown that they can gain even as a governing party. "A lot has progressed," praised Emmerling of the current city government. She now wants to continue working there.

Vienna KPÖ Satisfied on Sunday

Despite likely missing entry into the municipal council, the Vienna KPÖ expressed satisfaction on Sunday with the initial trend forecasts. "If the four percent hold, we are really very satisfied," said Barbara Urbanic, top candidate of the joint list of KPÖ and LINKS, to the APA. This would mean a doubling compared to the result of the last Vienna election. "That would be a great confirmation for us that we are on the right path," said Urbanic. Even if it doesn't work out this time, it will next time, the KPÖ politician consoled herself. The election campaign was very difficult for small parties due to the short notice of the election. The Communists hope for "very strong" gains in the district council election.

Voglauer Sees "Trend Reversal Achieved" in Vienna

Vienna. The Green Party Secretary General Olga Voglauer reacted euphorically to the first projections. "A sensation has been achieved in Vienna," she said at the Vienna City Hall. Considering that polls had seen her party at seven percent a year ago, this is "a great result for the Greens," said Voglauer. "In Vienna, we have achieved a trend reversal," she assessed the impact for the federal Greens.

"Apparently, voters want the Greens back," said Voglauer with a view to a possible revival of the red-green coalition in Vienna City Hall that ended in 2020.

Green Party leader Werner Kogler expressed relief and joy after the projection for the Vienna municipal council election: "After a green catch-up race, the trend reversal has been achieved, and we see: The voters want a comeback of the Greens in the city government," he reads from the result.

Now it is up to Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ), "whether Vienna goes into a positive future together with the Greens, remains pale with the Neos, or turns to the past with an ÖVP that has massively lost in this election," said Kogler. "Judith Pühringer and her team are not only ready to tackle the big challenges like climate protection, affordable housing, and good coexistence in a stable city government - the Greens Vienna are also exactly the right ones for it," Kogler is convinced.

Previously, Green state leaders had already expressed their hope for a comeback in the Vienna city government, after it looked in the trend forecasts as if there would no longer be a majority for SPÖ and NEOS. Burgenland's Green spokesperson Anja Haider-Wallner spoke of an "encouraging result." A "coalition for climate protection, affordable housing, and social cohesion" is certainly possible, said Haider-Wallner, herself deputy governor in a red-green state government.

Gebi Mair from the Tyrolean Green leadership saw a "good day for us Greens" in an initial reaction. Red-Pink did not receive the trust of the electorate for another term, the ÖVP is not a stable option as a "clear election loser." "Therefore, there is now the chance for a red-green change in Vienna, which I am very happy about," said Mair. The Greens started the election campaign at a low level and noticed the tailwind for the party with Leonore Gewessler. The SPÖ must now decide whether it is with the Greens for real social and environmental policy, "we are ready."

The Upper Austrian state spokesperson Stefan Kaineder was also exuberant: "What a comeback. In the national elections, the Green result was clearly single-digit. And just a year ago, polls showed ten percent for the Greens in Vienna. And then this sprint, which has now led them to third place, miles ahead of ÖVP and NEOS," he thanked top candidate Judith Pühringer and sees the "Green turnaround as more than successful." The Greens are "of course ready to take on government responsibility in the city," which "would also create a strong corrective to a federal government," said Kaineder.

Lower Austria's state spokesperson Helga Krismer also hopes for Green participation in the government in the federal capital. For her, the result is "a clear signal that green politics works - in Vienna just as it does with us in Lower Austria." A "green turnaround" has been achieved, she also stated.

Joy also in Styria: The Styrian Green leader Sandra Krautwaschl congratulated Judith Pühringer and the Vienna Greens "on this really strong result. The first projection with 14.7 percent is a clear signal for climate protection and social justice - and is close to the record result of 2020. We look from Styria with confidence and excitement at the next steps - and at the chance that the Greens in Vienna will again take on government responsibility."

The Green top candidate Judith Pühringer is "more than satisfied" with the first projection of the Vienna election. It is a "fantastic result," she told ORF. They had started a "comeback" and are now just shy of the best result in Vienna. Pühringer saw a "clear mandate" from the voters to focus on green issues. She now wants to connect climate and social justice.

"We have made many proposals for solutions," said the top candidate about the Greens' election campaign. Subsequently, there should be a "stable coalition." To this end, Pühringer wants to conduct exploratory talks with the SPÖ. She wants to bring in topics such as housing, climate, and education.

ÖVP state organizations react cautiously

The first ÖVP state parties reacted cautiously on Sunday evening to the result of the Vienna election. They held back criticism of top candidate Karl Mahrer. "Karl Mahrer and his team conducted an engaged election campaign under difficult overall circumstances," summarized Lower Austria's ÖVP state manager Matthias Zauner. "Lower Austria will continue its partnership with Vienna in the interest of a strong eastern region in the future."

Salzburg's VP leader Wilfried Haslauer congratulated - also as the current chairman of the state governors' conference - Mayor Michael Ludwig on the first place. "I regret the losses of the Vienna People's Party with their top candidate Karl Mahrer, who conducted an engaged election campaign despite adverse circumstances," said Haslauer in a statement after the first projection.

"A loss in an election is never satisfactory. Nevertheless, Karl Mahrer and his team fought for every vote until the last minute and showed great commitment," explained the new acting ÖVP state party chairman in Burgenland, Christoph Zarits.

Vienna's ÖVP leader Karl Mahrer admitted defeat in the Vienna election during the ORF top candidates' round on Sunday evening: "One thing is very clear, the People's Party has lost a significant number of votes, which was also to be expected." He pointed out, for example, that the FPÖ had suffered massive losses in the 2020 election - and has now made gains again. "That is to be respected."

When asked if he was considering resigning, he referred to the party committees, which are to be convened in the coming days. However, he said the result should be awaited first. Mahrer noted that the count was still very low.