Austrians Favor Blue-Turquoise Coalition as Political landscape Shifts
In a recent opinion poll conducted by Peter Hajek, 500 eligible Austrian voters shared their preferences for the next federal government.The results, discussed on the political talk show “Aktuell: Die Woche” moderated by Meinrad Knapp adn featuring policy advisor Thomas Hofer, reveal a clear inclination toward a blue-turquoise coalition—a partnership between the FPÖ and ÖVP.
The survey, conducted from January 13th to 16th, asked respondents: “What would you prefer about the next federal government?” A significant 41 percent of participants expressed support for a blue-turquoise government, while 26 percent favored resuming negotiations to form a coalition involving the ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS. Only 18 percent of those surveyed called for new elections.
Inside the Voting Blocs
The breakdown of voter preferences provides deeper insights into Austria’s political dynamics:
- FPÖ voters: A staggering 81 percent support a coalition with the ÖVP, while 15 percent advocate for new elections.
- ÖVP voters: Half (50 percent) back a government with the FPÖ, 28 percent prefer negotiations with the SPÖ and NEOS, and 15 percent want fresh elections.
- SPÖ and NEOS voters: 55 percent of SPÖ supporters and 59 percent of NEOS voters want their parties to resume talks with the ÖVP.
- Green voters: 74 percent favor renewed negotiations for a Black-Red-Pink coalition.
Pollster’s Perspective
Peter Hajek,the pollster behind the survey,noted: “New elections are not an option for the majority of voters surveyed,which is surprising,as there are now several examples where new elections have not clarified the situation. In addition, the FPÖ and ÖVP can form a stable two-party government. Thus,a majority of the voters who stayed with the ÖVP bowed to the normal force of reality.”
Key Takeaways
The poll underscores a growing acceptance of a blue-turquoise coalition among Austrian voters, despite the ÖVP’s past reluctance to align with the FPÖ. The data also highlights a divide within the SPÖ and NEOS camps, with significant portions advocating for renewed negotiations rather than new elections.
| Voter Group | Preferred Coalition | Support for New Elections |
|——————|————————–|——————————-|
| FPÖ | FPÖ-ÖVP (81%) | 15% |
| ÖVP | FPÖ-ÖVP (50%) | 15% |
| SPÖ | ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS (55%) | 22% |
| NEOS | ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS (59%) | 7% |
| Greens | Black-Red-Pink (74%) | N/A |
Tune In for More Insights
For a deeper dive into Austria’s political landscape, catch “Aktuell: Die Woche” every Friday at 7:50 pm on PULS 24, at 10:00 pm on ATV, or stream it anytime on JOYN.
As Austria navigates this pivotal moment, the survey results suggest a potential shift toward a blue-turquoise coalition, reflecting the electorate’s desire for stability and pragmatic governance.
