Shock in the polls - FPÖ advances and the government faces punishment
The coalition government in Austria, consisting of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS, is facing significant public discontent just six months after taking office. A recent poll conducted by OGM for the news program "BLICKWECHSEL" on ServusTV showed that 51% of Austrians are dissatisfied with the current government. About a quarter of respondents have called for early elections.
The Freedom Party (FPÖ) led by Herbert Kickl is gaining increasing momentum. The latest poll on Sunday showed that the FPÖ leads with 33% support, up from 28.9% in 2024. The ÖVP comes in second with 22%, while the SPÖ continues to see its popularity decline to 19%. This is a significant setback for the two traditional ruling parties.
The smaller parties in parliament have seen modest gains. The Greens, led by Gewessler, jumped to 11% compared to 8.2% last year, securing fourth place. NEOS also recorded a slight increase to 10% compared to 9.1%, remaining the only ruling party that experienced a relative improvement.
Economic challenges are driving public discontent. Chancellor Christian Stöcker announced a reduction in pension increases, which sparked widespread opposition. The proposed wage adjustment of 2% is below the current inflation rate of 2.7%, and is expected to save the state about 400,000 euros. Pensioner groups criticized this decision, describing it as unsocial and unacceptable.
The survey reflects broader concerns regarding economic and social policies, as 55% of respondents oppose Stoker's pension plan. Among citizens over the age of 50, two-thirds rejected the proposal, highlighting the growing public discontent that contributes to the rise in popularity of the FPÖ.