State election 2023: KPÖ relies on the withdrawal of love from disappointed voters
The KPÖ plus will compete in all districts in the state elections today. Local councilor Kay-Michael Dankl is currently looking for supporters: “Entering the state parliament would be a big surprise, but it’s worth stepping up to open up important issues,” says the 34-year-old.
SALZBURG. The survey by the opinion research institute GMK on behalf of RegionalMedien Salzburg confirmed the KPÖ plus 4 percent in the Sunday question in December 2022. “That surprised us a lot,” says Kay-Michael Dankl, who has been on the municipal council for the KPÖ plus in the city of Salzburg since 2019. “For us, this shows that because of the key issues of social affairs, inflation and affordable housing, more and more people are willing to vote for new parties. That is the prerequisite for change.”
“The voters have to react to the disappointment about the work of the parties by withdrawing their love.”
Kay-Michael Dankl, KPÖ plus
Now the party will compete nationwide in the state elections. Dankl and volunteers are currently on the road in all districts to collect the necessary declarations of support. In 2018, the party ran in the city and in Flachgau. “The big issues were the worst here back then, but now the big issues have arrived in all districts,” says the 34-year-old.
“Election campaign is an opportunity for issues”
As a voluntary party without party funding worth millions, it would be surprising for the Pinzgau native to crack the five percent hurdle. He still finds it appealing to take part in the election: “Each state election is an opportunity to take up issues and discuss them. Political interest is much greater during the election campaign. Every election gives us the opportunity to get people back into the bring the democratic process in. That’s important, because it’s usually the very people who need a voice in politics who don’t use it,” says Dankl.
“Entering the state parliament would be a big surprise, but it’s worth standing up for to talk to people about important issues.”
Kay-Michael Dankl, KPÖ plus
“Reality is our ally”
As the greatest allies in the election campaign, “examples of reality, because people feel where there is a problem – now also families with a good income. The danger of is that people give up. Society itself can trigger many crises, the ÖVP has not imagined a vacancy tax for a long time.
“Outside you can tell who is really affected by politics”
Should the KPÖ plus manage the five percent hurdle, Natalie Hangöbl and Kay-Michael Dankl would accept the mandate themselves. “I would still stay on the municipal council,” says Dankl, who as a municipal councilor often actively approaches the people of Salzburg in all parts of the city. “That gives a lot of ideas for political work. That’s exactly where you realize why you’re doing all this and who really makes political decisions.”
“We’re the only ones guaranteed not to get in.
Kay-Michael Dankl, KPÖ plus
Here you can find the Political Barometer of December:
The Freedom Party is the only party that is really growing
So you can make a statement of support:
So you make a statement of support