"Krone" series on the election

ÖVP: A nail-biter for the mayoral party

The local council elections are a test for Johanna Mikl-Leitner and her ÖVP.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Antal Imre)

After the state parliament, the EU and the National Council, the real election of fate for the People's Party of Lower Austria will take place in the municipalities. Can it defend its reputation as the mayors' party on 26 January 2025?

The ÖVP Lower Austria is considered the not-so-secret center of power in Austria. However, the party's former strength is probably also its greatest weakness at the moment. The problem began with the handover from Erwin Pröll to Johanna Mikl-Leitner. There was talk of "big shoes" and a "difficult legacy" - but then "Hanni" achieved the unbelievable: she was able to hold on to the absolute for the People's Party in 2019 and continue to govern with a similar self-image as Pröll once did. However, the second and third tiers were apparently overlooked. There is not much left of the shark's teeth in terms of personnel, and the party is increasingly biting its teeth when it comes to filling posts.