Styrian reactions

“That is the curse of Sebastian Kurz’s success”

Kay-Michael Dankl and Elke Kahr are delighted with the KPÖ's successes in Salzburg and Graz.(Bild: Krone KREATIV, stock.adobe.com, Andreas Tröster, Christian Jauschowetz)

A crash for the ÖVP, gains for the Communists: the local council elections in Salzburg on Sunday produced results with an impact far beyond the country's borders. Is the Styrian ÖVP now also on its knees? And will the KPÖ also become a political force in rural communities?

The Salzburg election has a big star: Kay-Michael Dankl, who won 28% of the vote and second place in the mayoral election. He goes into the run-off against Bernhard Auinger (SPÖ). Although the ÖVP loses massively in the city of Salzburg, it remains the "force in the country" and still has the most mayors with 82. 

In a year in which the people of Styria elect a new provincial parliament, these events are certainly very exciting. What do they mean for Styria?