Communists win again in Graz municipal elections

The Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ) emerged victorious in Graz's municipal elections held on Sunday, according to final results. The party garnered 35.63% of the vote, earning 18 seats in the 48-member city council. The conservative People's Party (ÖVP) came second with 25.35% and 13 seats, followed by the Greens with 14.84% and seven seats. The national-conservative Freedom Party (FPÖ), which is popular nationally, placed fourth with 12.2% and six seats.

This is the second consecutive win for the communists in Graz. In 2021, the KPÖ unexpectedly received 28.84% of the vote. Experts note that the results reaffirm the saying "Graz votes differently," as the communists have been unable to cross the 4% threshold to enter the national parliament for 60 years.

Graz's mayor, Elke Kär, a KPÖ candidate, became mayor in 2021 with the support of the Social Democrats. She is known for her active involvement in housing policy. While the Graz branch of KPÖ adheres to traditional communist themes such as class struggle and criticism of capitalism in party documents, Kär is cautious in discussing these issues. Like other left-wing extremists, she criticizes European Union sanctions against Russia.