The far-right FPÖ’s continued dominance in opinion polls has resulted in a new conservative bid to entice voters towards the centre, with a campaign aiming to convince voters of how great their country is doing.
Multiple years of external crises – whether it be COVID-19 or Russia’s attack on Ukraine – and corruption allegations have resulted in a steady flow of centre-right ÖVP voters opting for the far-right instead. Two recent polls put the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ – ID)) at 27 to 32%, while the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP-EPP) flounders in the low 20s.
Now, the conservatives are drawing on a positive messaging campaign – using a term from 1945 when the country was impoverished and under occupation, given its loss in the war. “Believe in this, Austria,” former Chancellor Leopold Figl told the citizens of the occupied country at Christmas, as the story goes.
Almost 80 years later, Austria’s ÖVP-Chancellor Karl Nehammer borrows the phrase as part of a positive campaigning strategy.
On Tuesday (26 September), he wants to demonstrate “how great Austria is, how strong the people in this country are and what has been achieved in the past years,” Der Standard quotes from a preview document sent to select media.
Elections will be held in autumn of 2024.
(Nikolaus J. Kurmayer | Euractiv.de)
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