ÖVP against the FPÖ

Dispute over farmers’ election causes political row in Lower Austria

Following "Krone" revelations about a letter from the state of Lower Austria, the waters are running high between the two governing parties. The FPÖ fires back at the ÖVP farmers' association - and the latter retaliates in its usual skillful manner.

Dark clouds over the St. Pölten government district. A "Krone" report about several letters in connection with the upcoming Chamber of Agriculture election in 2025 caused a stir. "The medieval electoral law makes it possible for some people to vote more than once," FPÖ agricultural spokesman Peter Schmiedlechner criticized his own coalition partner.

In the last election, 28,772 farms with 160,670 eligible voters were registered. That would result in just under six voters per farm - and an "absurd picture" according to Schmiedlechner.

Up-and-coming farmers' association director Paul Nemecek gives Schmiedlechner a lesson in democracy: the chamber is not only the legal representative of farmers' interests, but also of all landowners. Nemecek sees Schmiedlechner's statements as an attack on landowners: "Apparently he wants to deprive them of their representation."

Especially in times of impending property taxes, the Farmers' Union will not allow this.