In the campaigns for the Austrian parliamentary elections (29 September), discussions between the current two government factions are mainly about agriculture, pesticide use and the influence of the European Union on future Austrian agricultural policy.
Austria has had a relatively 'quiet' coalition of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) with the Greens for the past four years. But the two coalition partners have clashed in recent months over issues including the (European) Nature Restoration Act, the Soil Protection Act and EU regulations for better air and water quality.
In previous periods, the ÖVP had coalitions with the right-wing radical ÖFP and the left-wing SPÖ, but all these collaborations failed in the meantime due to political disagreements. The current coalition largely completed its term, but still stumbled when the new elections had already been called.
Partly due to the recently disturbed relations, the question now hangs over the voter market whether the ÖVP will once again join forces with the Greens or return to a coalition with the FPÖ or SPÖ.
Climate change and sustainability are issues that have been put on the agenda mainly by the Greens. Other parties, such as the ÖVP, are more cautious when it comes to radical reforms in the short term. They warn that too strict climate measures could endanger the economic stability of the agricultural sector.
One of the most discussed topics is the use of pesticides in agriculture. The Greens have spoken out in favor of a strong reduction in pesticide use. The ÖVP (Austrian People's Party), traditionally a strong ally of the agricultural sector, advocates caution in implementing such measures
The ÖVP emphasises the importance of stability and predictable policies for farming families. According to Chancellor Karl Nehammer, farmers need political support to face the challenges of climate change and globalisation.
This approach is criticized by an alternative 'agricultural' party, the MFG (Menschen-Freiheit-Grundrechte). These mostly organic farmers accuse the ÖVP of "clientelism". According to the MFG, the ÖVP is mainly concerned with protecting the interests of large agro-concerns, while smaller farming families are increasingly coming under pressure.
The role of the European Union is another hot potato in the election campaigns. Austrian parties are divided over how to deal with Brussels' influence on national agriculture. MFG clearly opposes the interference of the EU and calls the current EU agricultural policy a "dictate". According to the party, Austrian farmers should become less dependent on European subsidies and regulations and be given more room to operate independently.
The ÖVP, Greens and SPÖ, on the other hand, see advantages in close cooperation with the EU. They point out that Austria, as a member state of the European Union, benefits from access to the European market and that a strong position within the EU is necessary to protect Austrian products and maintain export opportunities.