A new opinion poll published by Austria’s Kronen Zeitung signals a sharp decline in support for the country’s governing parties, with the Social Democrats (SPÖ) facing a particularly steep tief. The party has dropped to 15 percent, putting it dangerously close to the Greens, who have risen to 13 percent.
The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) remains firmly in the lead, polling at 37 percent if elections were held next Sunday. Chancellor Christian Stocker’s conservative ÖVP trails behind at 20 percent, while the liberal NEOS stand at 7 percent. Notably, the Communist Party (KPÖ) has reached 5 percent, enough to cross the parliamentary threshold for the first time since 1959.
For the SPÖ, the figures are especially troubling. After recording its worst-ever result of 21.1 percent in the 2024 national election, the party now risks slipping even further, potentially falling behind the Greens. Within the margin of error, both parties are already effectively tied.
In a hypothetical direct election for chancellor, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl leads with 38 percent, followed by Stocker at 24 percent. SPÖ leader Andreas Babler is barely holding onto third place, with just a one-point lead over Green politician Leonore Gewessler.
Analysts say the SPÖ’s leftward shift under Babler may be driving voters toward the KPÖ, which appears to be gaining momentum beyond its stronghold in Graz. Pollster Christoph Haselmayer described the situation as a “dramatic decline,” comparing the SPÖ’s trajectory to Germany’s struggling SPD.
Meanwhile, support for Chancellor Stocker has also weakened, with fewer Austrians now seeing him as a key political figure compared to earlier this year.
