Government strengthened by Austrian coronavirus crisis

Text by: Isaure Hiace Follow

In Austria, the coronavirus crisis had an unexpected effect for his government, an unprecedented alliance between conservatives and environmentalists inducted last January. The crisis indeed seems to have strengthened this union, hitherto fragile. Polls show that the Austrians are satisfied with it, much to the dismay of the opposition.

Publicity

From our correspondent in Vienna,

Before the coronavirus crisis, the first disagreements had spread out in the open between the two partners on the opposite side of the political spectrum. But this crisis marked a turning point, according to Reinhold Lopatka, a Conservative MP: “  These two parties have shown that, despite their ideological opposition, they can work together in times of crisis and effectively. The public sees it and has confidence, polls show it. We are therefore hopeful that this work will continue when the situation returns to normal . "

The conservative party of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is today in a position of strength, totaling 43% of the voting intentions, far ahead of the opposition parties which are stagnating for the most part. A situation which owes nothing to chance according to Jan Krainer, Social Democrat MP.   

"  Right now, " he says, " the government systematically rejects opposition proposals and when one suits them, spends it shortly after presenting it as its own proposal." Unwritten rules are what make democracy work. These rules are no longer respected and that is a problem.  "

It remains to be seen whether this popularity will last while a difficult economic period begins. The municipal elections in Vienna next October will be a first test in this sense.

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• Austria
• Coronavirus

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