July 04, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Austria think transport minister Werner Faymann is the right man to lead the ruling Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) into the next federal election, according to a poll by OGM. 59 per cent of respondents say Faymann is a more promising candidate than current chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Austria think transport minister Werner Faymann is the right man to lead the ruling Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) into the next federal election, according to a poll by OGM. 59 per cent of respondents say Faymann is a more promising candidate than current chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer.

In October 2006, Austrian voters renewed the Federal Council. Final results gave the SPO 35.71 per cent of the vote and 68 lawmakers, followed by the conservative Austrian People’s Party (OVP) with 34.33 per cent and 66 legislators. In January 2007, SPO leader Gusenbauer was formally sworn in as the country’s new federal chancellor, heading a coalition government encompassing the SPO and the OVP.

OVP leader Wilhelm Molterer currently serves as vice-chancellor and finance minister. 48 per cent of respondents think agriculture minister Joseph Proell is a more promising candidate to lead the OVP, while 28 per cent pick Molterer.

On Jun. 16, Faymann replaced Gusenbauer as SPO leader. Gusenbauer declared: "I remain federal chancellor and will be the top candidate in the next elections." Gusenbauer had faced pressure from several senior party members who expressed concern over his low rating, and was also criticized after the SPO managed to win only 15 per cent of the vote in Tyrol’s provincial election.

The next election in Austria is tentatively scheduled for October 2010.

Polling Data

If a new election takes place, who would be the more promising candidate for the Democratic Party of Austria (SPO)?

Werner Faymann	59%
Alfred Gusenbauer	23%
Not sure / No reply	18%

If a new election takes place, who would be the more promising candidate for the Austrian People’s Party (OVP)?

Josef Proell	48%
Wilhelm Molterer	28%
Not sure / No reply	24%

Source: OGM
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 501 Austrian voters, conducted on Jun. 23, 2008. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.