FPÖ attacks the ÖVP

Duel for Birkfeld: “Every vote counts”

On paper, the election in Birkfeld in Eastern Styria looks like a clear-cut affair for the ÖVP. But the Freedom Party is confidently laying claim to the mayoralty - despite trailing by 47 percentage points! The SPÖ is only running with a one-man list.

"Every vote will count, it can decide who comes out on top." Patrick Derler's optimism may seem foolhardy if you look at the municipal council results from 2020. Back then, his FPÖ achieved just under 20 percent of the vote, while the ÖVP won more than 67 percent. Nevertheless, Derler believes that he has a realistic chance of becoming mayor on March 23.