site.btaAustrian Parties Mark May Day with Marches, Speeches, Campaigning

The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) traditionally organized May Day marches on May 1, International Workers' Day, starting from various districts of Vienna, with participants gathering in the square in front of City Hall. A large rally was held there, during which political speeches were delivered. 

International Workers’ Day was first celebrated in Austria in 1890. It became an official holiday in 1919 and a national holiday in 1949.  

In his speech, Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig criticized the Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), according to Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF). Ludwig ruled out the possibility of a coalition between the SPO and the FPO both in Vienna and at the national level.

“I am very glad that the SPO were ready to take on responsibility under extremely difficult conditions. Why? Because the previous government left us a budget that is very difficult to manage,” the Mayor said regarding the ruling three-party coalition, of which the SPO is a part.

Ludwig supported the SPO’s course, which, according to party leader and Vice-Chancellor of Austria Andreas Babler, is a difficult one. In his speech, Babler, for his part, sent a message to FPO leader Herbert Kickl.

“A patriot is not the one who shouts ‘Austria’ the loudest. A patriot is the one who works every day to make things better again and to repair their shortcomings and the damage they’ve caused,” noted the leader of the SPO leader.

The Austrian Communist Party organized a march to Parliament. “We are taking to the streets in the name of a political system free of war, economic exploitation, and social inequality,” said the party’s spokesperson in Vienna.

In one of the city squares, the Greens, led by party leader Leonore Gewessler, aimed to demonstrate how unevenly wealth is distributed in Austria.

As is tradition, the FPO celebrated May Day in a large beer tent at a fair in the city of Linz. The programme included a speech by party leader Herbert Kickl. The FPO called for improvements to vocational training. 

The ruling Austrian People’s Party (OVP) dedicated May Day to campaigning for reform of civilian service (an alternative to military service), including its possible extension to 12 months, which is an important pillar of Austria’s social and healthcare system. 

In keeping with its traditions, the NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum party marked May 1 as Education Day. The party, to which the current Minister for Education, Christoph Wiedekehr, criticized the lack of reforms and called for the introduction of uniform standards in primary education.