The ÖVP dominates there

ÖVP stands alone in five municipalities

VPNÖ regional managing director Matthias Zauner is expecting a "counter storm" to the federal trend.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Imre Antal, Anna Schuecker)

The People's Party has 451 mayors in Lower Austria. Due to the negative mood that the party is reaping from federal politics, a "backlash" is expected for the local council elections. At the same time, however, the party is relying on strong personalities who work in the local communities for their homeland and who do not care about ideologies.

Altmelon and Waldkrirchen an der Thaya in the Waldviertel, Aderklaa and Parbasdorf in the district of Gänserndorf and Wolfsthal in Bruck an der Leitha - the ÖVP, Lower Austria's most powerful mayoral party with 451 office holders, faces a particular challenge in these five municipalities, where it is standing for municipal council elections alone and still has to mobilize voters. In the last elections in 2020, there were eight.

Federal trend stronger in cities
And it will be the only party running in all 568 municipalities on 26 January. "Back then, there was a very positive mood towards the ÖVP, the FPÖ's Ibiza affair and more. However, the tailwind from the federal government is now being followed by a headwind," says VPNÖ party leader Matthias Zauner, who is expecting clear losses. He expects the federal trend to have a stronger impact, especially in urban areas, where things are becoming less personal.

"Acting persons count"
Excluding second homes, 11% fewer people are now eligible to vote, the "Krone" reported. However, as there are more main residents, there are also 148 more municipal council seats, which amounts to a total of 11,873. 19,554 candidates were recruited for the electoral lists. "This is a citizens' movement these days. It's the people who act and not the ideology that counts," says Zauner, pleased with the "strong candidate lists for the best in the homeland".