A new survey by pollster Unique Research commissioned by Heute reveals that a clear majority of Austrians (58%) oppose additional aid to Ukraine, arguing that funds should instead be prioritized for domestic use. Only 30% of respondents support further financial commitments from Vienna to Kyiv.
The supporters of the liberal-environmentalist Greens are the only group to overwhelmingly back continued payments (67%), while the Socialist SPÖ’s voters are narrowly divided, with 51% in favor.
Surprisingly, the push for strong support appears to be causing friction within the liberal NEOS. Despite Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger’s staunchly pro-Ukraine stance and frequent visits to the country, only 44% of her party’s supporters approve this policy.
Only 42% of the voters of Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker’s center-right party ÖVP support additional aid to Ukraine, with 47% opposing it.
Right-wing patriotic FPÖ strongly criticizes the increase of aid to Ukraine and demands a halt to all payments to Kyiv. It is not surprising therefore that as many as 86% of the party’s supporters oppose additional public funds from Austria for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
