Blue in Vienna second

AK election: Red bastion remains, setback for boss

There was a setback for AK President Renate Anderl in this year's election, as the list she headed lost ground in Vienna.

(Bild: APA/ROBERT JAEGER)

The Chamber of Labor elections in the eastern region have confirmed the Social Democratic trade unionists (FSG) in their leading position. Nevertheless, the President of the Federal Chamber, Renate Anderl, suffered a setback as the list she headed lost ground in Vienna.

AK election 2024: the results

Freedom Party employees in 2nd place in Vienna
The result in the federal capital is always viewed with particular interest, as the winner of the election is traditionally also the President of the Federal Chamber of Labor. Although the FSG lost 3.2 percentage points, it remained the strongest force by a huge margin with 57.5%. Its rivals also lost ground, least of all the Freiheitliche Arbeitnehmer, which therefore took second place with 8.4% despite a drop of 0.6 points.

The Christian Trade Unionists even lost 2.9 percentage points and now only have 6.9 percent. It was also unpleasant for the Greens and Independents, whose five percent meant a drop of 3.1 points.

Far-left lists succeed in the federal capital 
With a view to the National Council elections next fall, it is not uninteresting that splinter groups from the left fringe were quite satisfied. LINKS, KOMintern and Gewerkschaftlicher Linksblock together achieved a total of 5.6 percent and were therefore well ahead of the NEOS list, which was running for the first time and managed to secure 2.7 percent. Of course, the NEOS had also clearly set themselves apart from the other lists by rejecting more vacations, shorter working hours and compulsory chamber membership, for example - which is atypical for an employee election.

AK President Renate Anderl suffered a setback in this year's election, with the list she headed losing ground in Vienna.

(Bild: APA/ROBERT JAEGER)

FSG expands its absolute lead in Lower Austria, Freedom Party also makes gains
Things went better for the red unionists in Lower Austria than in Vienna. Under President Markus Wieser, they were not only able to maintain their absolute majority, but even increase it by more than two percentage points to 64%. The Lower Austrian People's Party NÖAAB-FCG lost six points, which was just enough for second place. The Freedom Party for Employees gained 3.7 points. Five years ago, the gap between black and blue employee representatives was still eleven percent - now it is only one between the sub-organizations of the coalition partners in the state government. The Communists (KOMintern) tripled to 1.8 percent in Lower Austria, while the Greens gained slightly to 3.6 percent.

Radiant election winner: AKNÖ President Markus Wieser

(Bild: AKNÖ)

Slight plus for ÖVP employees in Burgenland
The balance of power in Burgenland is stable. Although the FSG lost around three percentage points, President Gerhard Michalitsch can still boast a full two-thirds majority (68.8%). Consolation prize for the People's Party on this election night: the ÖVP workers with top candidate Johannes Mezgolits gained a slight plus of 0.6 percentage points and achieved 18.5 percent. The largest increase of 1.8 percentage points was achieved by the Freiheitliche Arbeitnehmer (Freedom Party Employees), which ended up with 9.4 percent. The Alternative, Independents and Green Trade Unionists were pleased with a gain of 3.3 percent. Voter turnout was a disappointing 33% for the time being. In Lower Austria, it was only marginally higher at 34.5 percent. Vienna, with 40 percent, performed comparatively best in the eastern region.

The Chamber of Labor election will be concluded in Styria. Voting is still open there until April 29.