Expert is certain:

The “strategic dispute” will reign until the election

A picture from at least slightly better times: At the government retreat of the federal government in Mauerbach (Lower Austria), everything was still pure bliss.

(Bild: APA/BKA/ANDY WENZEL)

"The best of both worlds" was the political slogan of the black-green government when it took office. In the final spurt and the beginning of the pre-election campaign, however, little of this remains. Recently, ministers have even been publicly criticizing each other. According to political analyst Thomas Hofer, this is a development that is sure to intensify further.

Recently, early elections and even a super election Sunday in June were openly debated. As is well known, the federal government decided against this and in favor of working through a mini-program. However, since it has become clear that elections will be held in September, the debate has become even more heated.

Disputes on the rise
For months, ÖVP provincial governors have been criticizing Green Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler for his plans on soil protection and Green Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler for her far-reaching and in some cases legally controversial transport plans. Now, however, disputes are no longer only between the federal states and the federal government, but also within the government itself.

European and Constitutional Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) famously launched a political all-round attack at the weekend, criticizing Gewessler and Justice Minister Alma Zadic, who can even expect a parliamentary question from her coalition partner.

Both parties will argue strategically, but will not allow the situation to escalate completely before the election.

Thomas Hofer, Politik-Experte

"Disputes like this will even intensify before election day," political expert Thomas Hofer is certain. Both governing parties would deliberately go on a confrontational course on those issues where they directly reach their own electorate. However, Hofer does not expect an escalation. And the mini-program will probably also be worked through as planned. Explosive: According to Hofer, the tone between the Black and Green parties is currently becoming rougher because it is unlikely that the two parties will form a coalition again after the election. "At the moment, the Neos would probably be ahead in a possible three-party constellation," he says.