Austrian Social Democrats hit record low in recent polls

The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) has reached record lows in recent opinion polls, with support dropping to between 14 and 17 percent. This decline follows the party’s 21.1 percent result in the September 2024 National Council election.

The low polling numbers have triggered internal unrest and leadership speculation regarding Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler. While some party members and union leaders have called for personnel changes, Babler has dismissed the leadership debates as media-driven, though he admitted the recent figures are “not pleasing.”

In recent surveys, the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) leads with approximately 37 to 39 percent, followed by the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) at 21 to 22 percent. The SPÖ’s current standing places it significantly behind its main rivals.