Tyrolean state election, 2008

• ÖVP: 16
• FRITZ: 7
• SPÖ: 5
• FPO: 4
• GREEN: 4

The state election in Tirol 2008 took place on 8 June 2008. In the elections, in addition to the parties represented in parliament Tyrolean ÖVP, SPÖ and the Greens and the FPÖ, the list of Labour President Fritz Fritz Dinkhauser Dinkhauser ( FRITZ ), the Communist Party, as well as Christians were to (DC). After the final, the ÖVP lost in the regional elections for the first time in the history of their absolute majority of seats in the Tyrol. Also, the SPÖ and the Greens suffered heavy losses. Fritz Dinkhauser reached its citizens from the state list to second place, which named itself the victor of the state election. The FPÖ was able to double its mandate status. The Communist Party and Christians failed clearly to the collection in the state legislature.

• 2.1 Tyrolean People's Party - Herwig van Staa ( ÖVP)
• 2.2 Social Democratic Party of Austria - Tyrol - Hannes Gschwentner (SPO )
• 2.3 The Greens - The Green Alternative Tirol ( GREEN )
• 2.4 Freedom Party of Austria - the Tyrolean Freedom Party (FPÖ )
• 2.5 Youth Policy list of the Communist Youth ( KPO )
• 2.6 The Christians (DC)
• 2.7 Fritz Dinkhauser - Citizens' Forum Tyrol ( FRITZ )

• 5.1 overall result
• 5.2 Preference votes

Requirements

Starting position

From the state election, 2003, the FPÖ had emerged as a big loser. She had lost more than 11 percent of the vote, reaching around 8 percent of the vote, only the fourth place of the parties represented in the parliament. The ÖVP was able to expand due to the declining voter turnout by about 3 percent share of the vote despite strong vocal losses. She missed with 49.9 percent of the vote, although almost an absolute majority of votes, but won an absolute majority of seats. The SPÖ was able to keep their votes almost rising by around 4 percent to a voting share of 25.9 percent. The biggest gains were observed in the Greens, who have doubled their share of the vote to 15.6 percent almost. The Communist Party was also able to increase their share of the vote strongly from 0.1 percent to 0.7 percent.

After the state election, the ÖVP formed a coalition government with the SPÖ, the ÖVP although held an absolute majority of seats and also alone could govern. The ÖVP won six seats of government, the two SPÖ. Herwig van Staa was confirmed as governor, the first Governor -Chairman of the SPÖ party chairman Hannes Gschwentner was chosen. The two FPÖ MPs Wilfried Tilg and Erich Rappold changed during the legislative period in briefly AAF, but founded shortly after his own party, the Free Party Tyrol ( FPT). The FPT planned for the state election in 2008 an electoral alliance with the AAF, which, however, failed to materialize. Therefore, the two MPs said in early May 2008, the candidacy from in the regional elections.

Suffrage

The Tyrolean Parliament adopted a comprehensive electoral reform on 30 January 2008. In addition to the reduction of the active and passive suffrage also the admission of " foreign Tirolern " to select and absentee voting was allowed. Due to the change in the law of each country's citizens were eligible to vote in the state election in 2008, which had ended on Election Day, 8 June 2008, 16 years of age. Voters also had to have Austrian citizenship and a primary residence in the Tyrol and were not allowed to be excluded from the right to vote. An exclusion from the right to vote was when a domestic court had a citizen convicted of one or more criminal acts committed with intent to more than one year imprisonment. After the electoral reform in 2008 were in the election for the first time Austrian citizens participate that this had before laying their main residence abroad in Tirol and met all other prerequisite for entitlement to vote. The right to vote was given to these citizens for the duration of your stay abroad, but for a maximum ten years granted. The passive suffrage was also reduced with the electoral reform. This got all voters for the state election of 2008, the passive right to vote, unless they had completed 18 years of age on election day.

Ballot

On 20 March 2008, bringing forward the state election, which would regularly take place in the fall of 2008 should, decided by a vote of ÖVP, SPÖ and the Greens by the Diet. As Election Day June 8, 2008 was determined. Only the members of the Free voted against bringing forward the election. The bringing forward the election was held at the request of the State Government, as a coincidence of elections of the National Council was concerned with the state election by the government crisis in the covenant.

While people were automatically registered with principal residence in Tyrol in the electoral register, "Foreign Tyrolean " had to time to register in each municipality in the electoral register. This requires a matching request was necessary, which could be incorporated into any technically feasible manner. After the electoral reform the postal ballot was in addition to the personal vote in the local community and the election by ballot card for the first time made ​​possible. With a choice card, the voters could vote in any polling station in Tyrol, which assumed voting cards or vote in the presence of a bedridden a "flying Electoral Commission " on the spot. The introduction of postal voting for the first time it was possible in the regional elections of 2008, to send the voting card from receipt until you close the last polling station in Tyrol by mail from home or abroad to the relevant district election authority. The voting card had to be einlangt later than the eighth day after election day to 12.00 clock. The application for a ballot paper was the mayor of the municipality in the Republic of voters on the electoral register. The application must be made orally in writing no later than the fourth day before election day or no later than the second day before the election day (12:00 clock ).

Choice advertiser parties ( list names)

Tyrolean People's Party - Herwig van Staa ( ÖVP)

The ÖVP moved with Governor Herwig van Staa as the leading candidate in the Tyrolean Landtag elections. In the center of the ÖVP - election campaign, the success of the ÖVP in the previous reign, and the continuation of the government rate stood. Important topics of the Austrian People's Party election program were safety, affordable housing, securing health care, the expansion of rail and securing jobs at equitable income.

Governor van Staa announced that it would need to reach at least 40 percent of the vote in order to prevent a coalition between the Social Democratic Party, the Greens and Dinkhauser can. Van Staa settled before the election all coalition variants open, while noting that a collaboration with Fritz Dinkhauser as the " most improbable variant".

Social Democratic Party of Austria - Tyrol - Hannes Gschwentner (SPO )

The Social Democratic Party candidate in the state election with the top candidate and chairman of the SPÖ Tyrol Hannes Gschwentner. In its election manifesto, " There is enough for everyone. " Presented the SPÖ securing employment, the guarantee of education and the protection of the health system to the center. Other major topics of the SPÖ were everyday conditions of workers, the future of youth, equal opportunities for women and the safety of the older generation. In their poster campaign, the SPÖ called for improvement of child care, the reduction in housing costs, more work for young people and the increase in income.

When dialing destination Gschwendtner called holding the nine parliamentary seats and a continuation of government participation. Gschwentner announced to want to talk after the election with all parties. However, the top candidate held due to the immigration policy of the FPÖ is not likely that the talks would go " over a gentle probing ".

The Greens - The Green Alternative Tirol ( GREEN )

The Greens nominated for the state election the national spokesman for the Tyrolean Greens and Parliamentary Group Leader in Parliament Georg Willi as top candidates. In its election manifesto " Tirol the curve gets " came the Greens against the " haggling " the People's Party and demanded the return of the church grounds of the agricultural communities. More topics on the Greens were the conservation and sustainable tourism, reduction of transit, the development of public transport, women, family and youth development as well as the " energy revolution".

When dialing destination Georg Willi spent the achievement of 20 per cent share of the vote. Party leader Alexander Van der Bellen also advocated a government involvement after the election. However Willi announced his intention to form a coalition with the ÖVP without a Governor Van Staa and Provincial Anton Steixner. A coalition with the FPÖ closed the Greens from principle.

Freedom Party of Austria - the Tyrolean Freedom Party (FPÖ )

The FPÖ joined the state election in 2008 in Tyrol with their state party chairman and Members of Parliament Gerald Hauser as a leading candidate to. The FPÖ was not represented by the spin-off of the AAF in the parliament, because the two selected FPÖ member of parliament had the AAF facing and were excluded from the FPÖ. They had subsequently founded the Free Party Tyrol (FPT ), but their planned candidacy said a few weeks before the election.

The FPÖ argued during the campaign against the EU Reform Treaty and the " Islamization of Tyrol" from the FPÖ demanded, among other things, a ban on building mosques and minarets. The FPÖ Furthermore, called the campaign a "minus immigration ". FPÖ leader Hauser also spoke out for the fight against poverty in Tyrol and called for a strengthening of families. However, family allowance, child benefit and comprehensive health care services and subsidized apartments are to receive only Austrian citizen. When dialing destination Hauser called the achievement of double-digit earnings as well as three to four parliamentary seats. A coalition would Hauser form with all parties except the Greens, but he announced not to choose an electoral loser for governor.

Youth Policy list of the Communist Youth ( KPO )

The Communist Party appeared in the regional elections of 2008 with the list name list with Youth Policy of the Communist Youth ( KPO ) to. A statewide candidacy was made ​​possible by the support of the Green Party member of parliament for the first time observations since 1961. As the list shows the name Communist Party continues in her campaign for teenagers in particular a. Thus, the CPA requires, among other things, an educational reform, a training obligation for companies and the involvement of young people in all important institutions. Furthermore the CPA called for a reduction in working hours without loss of pay, minimum wages, equal rights for women, affordable housing and the development of public transport. The youth policy approach of the Communist Party election campaign was underlined by the age of three first list, each under 30 years old. Top candidate of the Communist Party of Austria Tyrol was the locksmith apprentice Nothdurfter Julian, who was at the time of the state election 18 years old.

The Christians (DC)

The Christians came after the state elections in Lower Austria in 2008 for the second time in elections. Top candidate of the party was founded in 2005, the State Chairman and retired insurance consultant Franz Lair. The party sat down in her campaign according to own data for the implementation of " Christian values ​​" field. The focus was on the " protection of life from conception to natural death " and the " marriage as a faithful community of life and love between husband and wife ." Furthermore, called Christians a comprehensive relief for families.

Fritz Dinkhauser - Citizens' Forum Tyrol ( FRITZ )

The list Fritz Dinkhauser - Citizens' Forum Tyrol was founded by leading candidate Fritz Dinkhauser and entered in the regional elections of 2008 the first time in elections. In its election manifesto, the list refers to the " equitable distribution, the termination of cliques and a policy that puts people at the center " as central themes. Among the demands of the citizens list included affordable housing, family support, a comprehensive benefit package as well as an educational campaign. Other concerns of the citizen list were the return of land of agricultural communities to the communities and to strengthen the legal position of the State of Tyrol and the communities. Besides Dinkhauser the Tiered third place chairman of the Transit Forum Austria Fritz Gurgiser was the most prominent candidate.

As a minimum target set Dinkhauser to skipping the mark of ten percent. For a possible coalition after the election, he preferred to work with the Social Democrats and the Greens. A collaboration with Governor Van Staa closed Dinkhauser from decidedly; on 1 June, he announced that he will not cooperate with any successors. However, three days later Dinkhauser declared to be under conditions to form a coalition with the ÖVP available.

Campaign budgets

In the state elections of 2008, the Tyrolean parties spent more than 3 million euros. About the highest campaign budget available to the ÖVP that the campaign could be cost 1.5 million euros. These were around 300,000 euros more than in the 2003 election. However not included in the calculation were the budgets of the ÖVP - part organizations Farmers' Association, Business Association or AAB. About the second largest budget available to the Social Democratic Party, which spent on campaigning 700,000 euros, 100,000 euros more than in 2003. Greens invested 400,000 euros in the election campaign, the list Dinkhauser brought 350,000 euros. The FPÖ was on her campaign budget any information. The campaign budget of the CPA was by his own admission 5,500 euros, Christians used 10,000 euros from donations and savings for their election campaign.

A campaign refund received in Tirol, only those parties who reached the dip in the parliament. The sum available was divided according to the election result between the parties.

Surveys

In May 2008, presented the Tiroler Tageszeitung a survey of market and opinion research institute " market" (1,000 respondents) for state election 2008. Survey predicted the ÖVP heavy losses, including the Social Democratic Party had lost the poll after significantly votes. "Market " predicted the ÖVP and the SPÖ 39 percent 22 percent. In the state elections in 2003 the People's Party had reached even 49.9 percent and 25.9 percent of the SPÖ. ÖVP and SPÖ lost compared to a survey conducted in September 2007, in which the ÖVP and the SPÖ 44 percent had reached 26 percent. "Market " expected further 16 per cent for the Greens, with 13 percent for Fritz Dinkhauser with 9 percent for the FPÖ. The market survey also raised the coalition preferences of respondents. 28 percent of respondents were in favor of a continuation of the ÖVP - SPÖ coalition government. 14 percent favored a coalition of ÖVP and the list FRITZ, 9 percent a coalition of ÖVP and the Greens and 7 percent a ÖVP-FPÖ coalition. 10 percent voted for a coalition of the Social Democrats, the Greens and FRITZ.

On 10 May, the newspaper Austria published a poll by Gallup institute, which yielded similar results. According to Gallup, the ÖVP would come to 41 percent of the vote, the Social Democratic Party would have achieved 21 percent. According to Gallup, the FRITZ list with 12 per cent, the Greens were able to record 18 per cent, slight gains, safe in the parliament have been. The FPÖ would according to the survey on 8 percent of the vote. Gallup asked in addition to the election results from also, which candidates would give their vote in case of a Governor direct the voters. Thus, Herwig van Staa incumbent would only come to 28 per cent, Fritz Dinkhauser would have reached 22 percent. Deputy Governor Hannes Gschwentner had 14 percent, Green leader Georg Willi selected 8 percent in a direct line.

One end of May presented by the daily Austria Gallup poll predicted the ÖVP and the SPÖ even heavier losses, they would have consequently reached only 40 and 19 percent respectively. The Greens have also slipped by 14 percent below their previous poll numbers. The list Dinkhauser would according to the survey reached 17 percent of the vote. The FPÖ remained 10 percent.

Election result

Overall result

The ÖVP was in the regional elections in 2008 their absolute majority of seats not defend and reached after the official results with a decrease of 9.4 percentage points, only 40.5 percent of the vote. The ÖVP Tirol lost a further four of their 20 seats so far and scored the worst election result in its history. The SPÖ had even heavier losses than the ÖVP accept and came to a minus of 10.2 percentage points to 15.5 percent only. Also for the SPÖ Tirol meant the election, the worst result since 1945. They lost four of their nine mandates and dropped back to third place. Second place went to Fritz Dinkhauser, who scored with his list from the state 18.4 percent of the vote and seven seats. The FPÖ with a voting share of 12.4 per cent to gain 4.5 percentage points, doubling its mandate stand at four, but fell far short of the results they had achieved in 1999. The Greens lost 4.6 percentage points and with 10.7 percent occupied only fifth place in the campaigning parties. In addition, the Greens one of its five seats had to give. The sixth place went to the Christians, the CPA exceeded 1.4 percent. However, the Communist Party increased its vote share of 0.7 percent, considerably to 1.2 percent. However, both parties fell well short of the five- percent threshold for entry into the state parliament.

Preferential votes

In the state elections in Tirol preference votes could be awarded at the state level only in the district constituencies, but not. The figures are therefore not directly comparable due to the different number of eligible voters in the constituencies. The highest number of preferential votes reached Councillor Anton Steixner (ÖVP ), before Provincial Erwin Koler (ÖVP ) and the Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader Jacob Wolf. Governor Herwig van Staa achieved only the fifth highest number. The first 14 places was almost exclusively occupied by ÖVP politicians, only Fritz Dinkhauser reached the eighth-highest number of preferential votes. SPÖ leader Hannes Gschwentner finished with 2,741 votes 15th place, FPÖ candidate Gerald Hauser with 2,423 votes 16th place and the Green Parliamentary Group Leader George Willi with 2,184 votes 18th place

Voter flow analysis

For the state election in Tyrol, the Social Research Institute SORA published after the election, a voter flow analysis. According to the analysis, the ÖVP lost mainly votes to the non-voters (16,000 votes), FRITZ ( 7000 ) and the Freedom Party ( 4000 ). Only by the SPÖ, the ÖVP could win 3,000 votes. The SPÖ lost the most votes to a group of non-voters (15,000 ), but also lost to the list FRITZ ( 9000 ) and the Freedom Party ( 5000 ). Fritz Dinkhauser most of his votes from former non-voters ( 30,000 ) and was also able to deduct from all established parties votes. Most votes received FRITZ of the SPÖ ( 9,000 ), followed by the Greens ( 8000 ), the People's Party ( 7000 ) and the Freedom Party ( 5000 ). The FPÖ strong points in the non-voters. She could convince 9,000 votes from this group of 5,000 former and could also SPÖ voters and 4,000 former ÖVP voters convince. The Greens lost their votes to the list FRITZ ( 8000 ) and the non-voters (5,000).

Effects

After the electoral defeat of the Austrian People's Party on June 8, Herwig van Staa resigned as Governor on 23 June from his position. His successor, the then Interior Minister Guenther Platter was determined. Despite the heavy losses ÖVP and SPÖ continued the coalition in Tyrol. The FPÖ also remained after the election in their announcement to choose any of the election loser for governor. The Austrian People's Party led by Fritz Dinkhauser no coalition talks after Dinkhauser had demanded after the election the resignation of Governor van Staa and Provincial Steixner. Another reason for the failure of a coalition between the ÖVP and Dinkhauser was the rejection of the Brenner Base Tunnel, the development of water power and the realization of the Tschirganttunnels by Fritz Dinkhauser.

The defeat of the Social Democrats in the regional elections increased the pressure on SPÖ Chancellor Gusenbauer after the losses at the Graz municipal elections and state elections in Lower Austria. Gusenbauer had to leave mid-June the party chairmanship to Infrastructure Minister Werner Faymann. The ongoing differences between the ÖVP and SPÖ at the federal level subsequently led to early parliamentary elections. Due to the success in the regional elections in Tirol Fritz Dinkhauser also ran in the general election, but failed there to enter parliament.