A recent poll shows that the Austrian SPÖ is receiving only half the electoral backing of the FPÖ, marking an unprecedented low for it.
The survey—conducted by researcher Christoph Haselmayer—also shows that 75% of Austrians oppose pension cuts, while 54% support the “fundamental system change” proposed by FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl.
SPÖ party leader, Austrian Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler is pushing for reforms and plans to use Monday’s party conference and upcoming initiatives to regain ground.
SPÖ committees meet on Monday, September 15th with the party conference scheduled for March 7th. Challengers have four weeks to collect 1,500 signatures, though no serious opposition to Babler is expected.
Babler, who also serves as Austria’s culture minister, aims for a strong start next week with a campaign for affordable living and a major rent package. Rent increases will be capped at 1% in 2026 and 2% in 2027, with a similar cap planned for the free market.
The SPÖ also wants to extend minimum rental contracts from three to five years. While its on-off coalition allies the ÖVP and NEOS were initially opposed, an agreement is now forming, including a revision of the value protection clause limiting retroactive rent increases to five years.
