The first receptions

Blue and black: the new harmony in the country

(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

These are traditionally black dates: The New Year receptions of the Chamber of Agriculture and the Chamber of Commerce lead into the heart chambers of the Styrian ÖVP. This time, however, there was a strong blue presence. The feeling of the observer: there is hardly any alienation any more.

Lots of Styrian jackets, lots of functionaries: the audience at the Chamber of Agriculture's New Year's reception is largely predictable. But there are two new faces in the front row: Governor Mario Kunasek and Provincial Councillor Stefan Hermann, both from the FPÖ. 

Chamber Director Werner Brugner welcomes Kunasek in an emphatically friendly manner, President Franz Titschenbacher asks for constructive cooperation. Kunasek promises to take the concerns of farmers seriously and jovially admits that he has no agricultural expertise. It still feels a little like feeling things out, and the applause for Kunasek is not as strong as for ÖVP Agriculture Councillor Simone Schmiedtbauer, for example.

But you can sense that there are (no longer) ideological worlds between black and blue. It is not for nothing that the Freedom Party is increasingly successful in the rural farming community. 

Governor Mario Kunasek (center) at the reception of the Chamber of Agriculture.(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Three FPÖ provincial councillors at the Chamber of Commerce
A few hours later, the Chamber of Commerce hosts a reception. Business suits instead of Styrian jackets, it's a different audience, but naturally also very close to the ÖVP. The FPÖ is once again strongly represented, this time with state councillors Stefan Hermann, Claudia Holzer and Hannes Amesbauer. They will have listened sympathetically to Chamber President Josef Herk praising the Styrian government formation process on stage - and castigating the failed "Zuckerl" negotiations in Vienna.

The Wirtschaftsbund is seen as the driving force behind the blue-black coalition at both state and federal level. The "Sozis" are the main political enemy in these circles. Incidentally, Chamber of Labor President Josef Pesserl will be attending both receptions as a red representative - on his birthday. Pesserl, a social partner through and through, keeps in touch with the "other" camp even in turbulent times.

Sitting side by side: Georg Knill (Federation of Austrian Industries) and Josef Pesserl (Chamber of Labor)(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

We should hope that these contacts will not break off in the coming years, that the "left-wing" opposition (exception: Neos) and the "right-wing" government will not drift completely apart into two camps. The much-vaunted Styrian path of cooperation should be continued. We do not need American conditions of complete polarization.

Staying in contact with those who think differently - that would be a great New Year's resolution! I wish you a pleasant Wednesday.