Signs of Life in May

LIVE: How Austria Celebrates Labor Day

(Bild: APA/FLORIAN WIESER)

On Friday, May 1, the Republic celebrated Labor Day. krone.at has been covering the festivities live for you since early this morning. Here are the most important updates and photos from Vienna, Linz, and Graz.

The highlights in brief:

• Traditionally, May 1 is politically red—the SPÖ march proceeded to Vienna’s City Hall Square, followed by speeches from party leader Andreas Babler, Mayor Michael Ludwig, and other party leaders, as well as a celebration in the Prater. Unity was called for, and warnings were issued against “false patriots” and Trump supporters (FPÖ).

• In Vienna, thousands of people gathered at City Hall Square; SPÖ leaders appeared delighted (and likely somewhat relieved) by the lively turnout. The events in Graz can also be seen as a strong sign of life for social democracy—and as a bold statement by the Communists.

• The Freedom Party, of course, did not leave the day to the Social Democrats. The blue counter-event, featuring party leader Herbert Kickl and Deputy Governor Manfred Haimbuchner, took place in the beer tent at Linz’s Urfahranermarkt. There, they railed against the “bigwigs” (SPÖ, ORF) and also demonstrated their resolve.

All the details and photos are available in the krone.at live coverage:

Intrigue within the SPÖ
Just before their biggest holiday and not even two months after the federal party convention, Austria’s Social Democrats were once again confronted with crossfire from within their own ranks. Remarks by the Vienna City Councilor for Health causedintense discomfort in Styria.

In the Vienna State Parliament, Peter Hacker had praised the blue-black hospital deal in the south as “super smart”—knowing full well that the Styrian Social Democrats see it entirely differently. In a letter obtained by the “Krone,” SPÖ State Party Chairman Max Lercher accused his party colleague Hacker of delivering a “slap in the face” to the people.

Moreover, just last weekend at the state party convention in Vienna, the new Finance Councilor Barbara Novak—also from within their own ranks—received a resounding slap in the face. For while Mayor Ludwig was solidly re-elected with 92.33 percent of the vote, Novak received only 70.87 percent—the “Krone” set out to investigate.

The government’s announced dual budget for 2027/28 also caused quite a stir within the Social Democrats. For instance, former National Council member Wolfgang Knes from Carinthia threatened to organize a massive demonstration if no improvements were made.

FPÖ in the Lead in Vienna for the First Time
Last but not least, the latest poll in the “Krone” naturally caused a stir in domestic politics: For the first time, the FPÖ is leading in the red stronghold. If the National Council were elected on Sunday, the federal capital would also swing—whereupon Michael Ludwig noted that there is “no election at present” and nothing could be coaxed out of the party leader.

Can May 1st smooth the waters around the SPÖ? Will we really have a blue Vienna after the next state election? And: What do you think of May Day parades, trees, and tent festivals on May 1st—does Labor Day still hold any meaning for you? Let us know in the comments! Have a great holiday on krone.at!