ÖVP election year kick-off

Nehammer: “Our problem is the far right”

Karl Nehammer whipped up the Styrian ÖVP ideologically for an exhausting election year.

(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

The Styrian ÖVP is preparing for a year full of important elections on Saturday. Chancellor Karl Nehammer recalled the performance principle and the party's center-right ideology, Governor Christopher Drexler gave his team roses.

Armchair backing after coffee: the Styrian People's Party invited 400 functionaries to the whipping up for the many election campaigns of the year, but apparently more came than expected, the rows in the Graz soap factory are not enough. According to information from the party, there are 700.

As soon as everyone is seated, things get off to an unusual start for an event that looks more like a farmers' union ball: with a hip-hop performance. "It's not an optical illusion," explains Detlev Eisel-Eiselsberg, regional managing director.

Karl Nehammer ideologically whipped the Styrian ÖVP into shape for an exhausting election year.

(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

A few days ago, says Eisel-Eiselsberg, registration for the event had to be stopped - the interest of party members was too great. So not a sagging mood after all? "The Styrian People's Party is ready for all challenges."

Drexler and Nehammer in Graz on Saturday

(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

Nehammer: "Our problem is the far right"
Chancellor Karl Nehammer kicks things off, "after a short night". "We were all taught the DNA of the People's Party by our parents: you can go partying, but you'll be there the next day," he says. Quiet laughter, applause.

In terms of content, Nehammer touched on many topics from his "Austria Plan": Performance, full-time work, more childcare, more GPs, more property owners. Side blows against the competition from the right, which hangs like a blue cloud over the VP in the state and at federal level, were only mentioned in passing. "Some are trying to exploit the very challenging times for the people. To stir up fears, but not to solve the problems."

Against radicalism, towards integration into a society with clear rules.

Bundeskanzler Karl Nehammer

We must "take up the fight against the far right. We, the center, must lead the way. There is right-wing and far-right. Our problem is the far right." And: "There is no neutrality when it comes to terror."

As a "middle-class, center-right party with a Christian-social foundation", the principle of performance must be invoked: "It only works with performance and work, and that's what our people's party stands for." 

Karl Nehammer at the Graz soap factory on Saturday

(Bild: APA/ERWIN SCHERIAU)

Ski star loosened things up
Ski star Nici Schmidhofer acted as a motivational speaker. She talked about her world champion victory and the impact it had on her life. "You are only ready for change if you are courageous."

Criticism of the market survey
Eisel-Eiselsberg picked up on the ÖVP's poor poll results: "My first thought was: they'll be surprised at what's possible," said the regional managing director, commenting on the recently published Market poll, according to which the People's Party would end up in third place in the Styrian regional elections with 21%.

Drexler: "Three elections are a test of nerves"
The main act of the morning, however, was Christopher Drexler. He began by thanking everyone who had come volé from the Bauernbundball. "Three elections in one year are a test of nerves for us. But even more so for the citizens." Drexler assured them that he wanted to work for the entire legislative period this time. 

We have to win the election for Hans (Seitinger, note) alone.

Christopher Drexler

In Styria, there is a "climate of cooperation" and trust between the ÖVP and SPÖ that "very rarely occurs in governments". It is about "sustainable compromises" and not aligning anything publicly. New friendships are also being forged with the opposition, such as the Greens, whom Drexler met at the Farmers' Union Ball on Friday. "But for God's sake, no coalition," he joked.

Graz has a "bitter need" for the bourgeoisie
The People's Party is characterized by the fact that it is "on first-name terms with the population" and has the most mayors. In the country, but also in Graz, where the ÖVP is in opposition: "This city in particular is in dire need of something like a civic supervisory board." 

Drexler also told the Greens to argue ideologically when expanding the A 9 south of Graz. In the direction of the Styrian ÖVP, the regional leader said: "Yes, the presumption of innocence also applies to Mario Kunasek. But there is one thing I would like to see: that the allegations of the financial scandal and the house building are cleared up before the election. I want a fair election campaign."

Also on site: former provincial governors Waltraud Klasnic, Hermann Schützenhöfer, Minister Martin Polaschek, all provincial councillors, Secretary General Christian Stocker, EU top candidate Reinhold Lopatka, President of the Provincial Parliament Manuela Khom and Club Chairwoman Barbara Riener.