The party announced this in a press conference on Wednesday. The list will be elected at a state assembly next February. Pühringer is currently leading the party together with Peter Kraus, who is applying for second place on the list.
The Pühringer-Kraus duo has been in office since May 202. Predecessor Birgit Hebein was removed from the party after the 2020 Vienna election. After the election, the SPÖ decided to work with the NEOS – after the red-green coalition had ruled Vienna for two legislative periods.
The 2020 election result was certainly positive for the Greens. They were able to achieve their best result to date with 14.8 percent. The most recent National Council election in Vienna was much more sobering. The Eco Party lost 8.4 percentage points. It came in fourth place with 12.3 percent, just ahead of the NEOS.
What strategies can the Vienna Greens implement to regain voter support and address current concerns?
## Vienna Greens: From Triumph to Trial
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**Host:** Welcome back to ”Vienna Report.” Today we’re joined by political analyst Dr. Elena Schmidt to discuss the recent ups and downs faced by the Green party in Vienna.
Dr. Schmidt, the Greens saw a surge in support in the 2020 Vienna election, securing their best result ever. But the picture looks quite different after the most recent National Council election. What happened?
**Dr. Schmidt:** That’s right. The 2020 election was a real high point for the Greens, with them gaining 14.8 percent of the vote.
This was partly driven by a growing public concern about environmental issues and climate change. They effectively capitalized on this wave of support.
However, the last National Council election wasn’t as kind. The Greens lost a significant 8.4 percentage points, dropping to fourth place with 12.3 percent.
**Host:** That’s a significant drop. What factors contributed to this decline?
**Dr. Schmidt:** It’s a complex picture. Some analysts point to the global energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, which shifted the focus away from environmental issues and towards energy security.
Others suggest that the Greens have struggled to maintain momentum and articulate a clear vision for the future.
It’s also important to remember that electoral success is never guaranteed. Voters’ priorities can change quickly, and political landscapes are constantly evolving.
**Host:** Looking ahead, what challenges and opportunities do the Vienna Greens face?
**Dr. Schmidt:** They definitely need to reconnect with voters and rebuild trust. This means presenting a compelling and realistic agenda that addresses the current concerns of Viennese citizens.
They also need to find ways to differentiate themselves from other parties, particularly in a crowded political landscape.
The upcoming state assembly in February will be a crucial test for the party, as they seek to elect a list for the next election. It remains to be seen whether they can recover from this setback and regain their previous support.
**(Outro Music)**
