Election campaign finale
The last icy meters for Drexler and the ÖVP
Election campaign finale for the parties: Before the people of Styria cast their votes on Sunday, the parties mobilized one last time. The ÖVP, SPÖ, Greens and Neos were out and about in the city center of Graz between the recently opened Advent markets, mulled wine and gingerbread - an icy report.
An icy wind is blowing across Lendplatz in Graz, where the ÖVP is gathering functionaries one last time on Friday afternoon to convince voters with flyers and apples from the vendor's tray. Governor Christopher Drexler sounds relaxed, at least more relaxed than in the weeks before: it was an uncomfortable, icy election campaign for the Styrian People's Party, the mood clearly on the side of the Freedom Party.
"I like it here despite the adverse weather conditions," says Drexler on the small stage, surrounded by white and green balloons and state councillors. "Lendplatz is something like my natural habitat. This is where I grew up."
Against the pull of the federal trend
Drexler repeats what he has been drumming up for weeks: This one is a direction-deciding election; it's about whether you want experimentation or stability; it's about the next provincial governor and not about "giving the fractious federal politics a run for its money".
We have already shown that we can govern.
Christopher Drexler, ÖVP-Spitzenkandidat
An acoustic version of Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" booms out of the loudspeakers. Hot tea or mulled wine for the campaigners, who swarm out in all directions, is only available in the evening at Karmeliterplatz. "Yes, performance must be rewarded," jokes one official.
The "Toni" is no louder
Right next to Lendplatz, it suddenly turns red: the SPÖ marches towards Freiheitsplatz with balloons, drums and trumpets. There the group meets other functionaries who, after a star march, gather at the feet of Emperor Franz I (or rather his monument). When Anton Lang steps in front of the crowd, applause erupts, somewhat restrained, as the thick gloves of the supporters muffle the volume. Toni", as they all call him, is not a loud speaker, he doesn't need to shout into the microphone to get his message across.
Lang wants to become governor and emphasizes this clearly once again. The comrades are happy to hear that. "Only a strong social democracy can guarantee cohesion and political balance in Styria," he says and appeals once again to everyone to "run" to the end. The aim is to make 24,000 contacts between now and Sunday, whether in personal conversations, distribution campaigns, election campaign stands or home visits. Then comes the cozy part, warming up with tea and mini gingerbread hearts.
Trump's election was a low point for the Greens
The Greens set up their stand right next to the streetcar stop on Hauptplatz on Friday and tried to reach as many public transport passengers as possible. There will be no rallies; top candidate Sandra Krautwaschl, the most promising candidates on the Green state list and Graz Deputy Mayor Judith Schwentner are looking for a direct conversation. "It's fun, it's the essence of politics," says Krautwaschl.
She will also be on the road all day on Saturday: Stattegg, Graz and Gleisdorf are on the agenda. Was there no let-up in the demanding election campaign? "When Donald Trump was elected US President, I briefly asked myself the question of meaning. But then my spirit of resistance quickly returned." And then, with a view to the government negotiations in Vienna, he said: "I am deeply convinced that green policies will also be needed in the coming years."
Confidence among the Pinks
A little later, the Neos parade through the city center with a drum roll, Manner wafers, pink balloons and Federal Secretary General Douglas Hoyos as a guest. Top candidate Niko Swatek radiates calm and confidence: "After the TV debates, I received a lot of positive feedback."
He will also spend Saturday campaigning in his hometown, and in the evening the Neos entourage will then - as is traditional before election days - go through the bars to talk to potential voters until the last minute. "I hope I can sleep an hour longer on Sunday," says Swatek with a grin, looking at his son Emil (3), who accompanied him to the official end of the election campaign.
Other parties on the home straight
The FPÖ celebrated the end of the election campaign on Thursday evening with waving flags in the soap factory. The KPÖ also officially ended the election campaign on Thursday: in a decidedly modest manner with coffee, cake and live music on Graz's main square.
This article has been automatically translated,
read the original article here.
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