This Week in Politics
Austrian Election
After a turbulent election cycle with the centre-right ÖVP at the helm and Greens beside the Austrians have voted for change. The resignation of former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz came with a significant drop in polling after the highest of any Austrian party in over a decade. The new leader and Chancellor Karl Nehammer faced an enormous challenge in rebuilding trust and confidence with the electorate. The far-right FPÖ rallied in the later months of 2022 as the centre-left SPÖ began its steady decline from peaking that same year. Since the beginning of 2023 the FPÖ has handedly been the largest political party in polling.
Moving toward the Election Day the FPÖ benefited from a campaign heavily focused on questions such as immigration, economic troubles and the war in Ukraine. As the floods raged across Europe Nehammer proclaimed a paus in campaigning as the country set to tackle the crisis. This culminated in positive media coverage of Chancellor Nehammer that helped the ÖVP in the home stretch. Although the party was already beginning to regain popular support at the end of last year.
The FPÖ followed suit with polling making significant gains, increasing its total vote share by over 12% and mustering an additional 26 seats in a parliament of 183. Despite the large gains the FPÖ came well off reaching the majority threshold, 92, receiving a total of 57 seats. As Chancellor Nehammer has vowed to not form a coalition with the FPÖ it is unlikely that the far-right will secure power. The ÖVP lost 11% of the vote share, losing 20 seats in total mustering 51. On the other hand the SPÖ experienced marginal shifts, losing ever so slightly in the popular vote, yet still gaining a single seat overall. With 41 seats the SPÖ is clearly the third largest. The new liberal NEOS group garnered an additional 1% in comparison with 2019, equating to an extra 3 seats making the total number 18. The other governing party, the Greens, nose dived nearly 6%, losing 10 seats crash landing at 16. A coalition without the FPÖ is bound to have support from both the ÖVP and SPÖ, with the Greens potentially included or even NEOS, which is not unprecedented, however, still a clear shift from 2019.
Vice Presidential Debate
In the first and only Vice Presidential debate, following suit with standard election cycle debating practices, J.D. Vance and Tim Walz squared off in a 90 minute discussion ranging from foreign policy, the economy, abortion and domestic affairs. A relatively smooth Vance managed to showcase his debating skill, while Walz struggled to effectively challenge all of the Republican's attacks. However, through sheer knowledge the Governor of Minnesota managed to stay toe-to-toe with the Ohioan Senator. In snap polling the debate is seen as an even split between the candidates.
“We have to make the doors lock better. We have to make the doors stronger. We’ve got to make the windows stronger.” Sen. J.D. Vance stated referring to preventing casualties in mass shootings.
Focus laid on those at the top of the ticket as both Walz and Vance contributed to what is seen as a "refreshingly" civil debate. Outside niceness and civility both Senator Vance and Governor Walz presented real policy differences. Some of the most notable zingers in the debate were about topics such as abortion, gun violence and the 2020 election.
“If you don’t know Amanda or a Hadley, you soon will.” Gov. Walz referring to real life examples of how Roe v. Wade is affecting women.
A small exchange nearing the end of the debate has received much focus, due to it being when Walz's was perceived as sharpest. It was about the 2020 presidential election and if Vance believes Trump lost.
“Tim, I’m focused on the future." Sen. J.D. Vance responded.
“That is a damning non-answer.” Gov. Walz chimed in.
New Japanese Prime Minister
After months of waning support the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan, that has been in power nearly uninterruptedly for the past 80 years, switched leader. Fumio Kishida stepped aside after a long standing period of decline for the LDP in polling. In its leadership contest Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba came out on top, defeating conservative challenger Sanae Takaichi 215-194 in the final tally. Moreover, Ishiba quelled the popular now former Minister of the Environment Shinjirō Koizumi whom received the endorsement of former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
In an expected move the new Prime Minister announced a snap-election to be held as early as later this month, a political gamble Ishiba is hoping will help him assert a popular mandate to lead. However, this early move and first major challenge for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba could spell a quick end to a tenure yet to truly begin. Although, the opposition parties have a challenge in defeating the LDP that has made itself synonymous with power and holds a significant lead.
