The Austrian People's Party (OVP)....has been around for seventy-odd years. In this election from Sunday, it is a remarkable win for the party. Why the popularity?
This is a party which attracts a lot of white-collar/middle-management type workers. Businessmen....from ultra small operations to major corporations like the view of the party on taxation and minimum regulations. Farmers? The party has always attracted them. Then you look over a government employees....where the party has never suggested downsizing or making a huge impact upon them.
Then you add this layer of commentary over immigrates and migrants. The OVP has continually voiced criticism over the way that the EU is managing this master redistribution of refugees in Greece and Italy....to the rest of the EU.
Just over one out of every three voters in Austria voted for this party. It is a clear message in some ways.
Then you add the character of Sebastian Kurz who heads the party and is now Chancellor of Austria. He's 31 years old. Yes, just 31. He's smart....he delivers four-star speeches, and he impresses younger audiences with his commentary and wit. He finished up his year of military obligation back in 2004, and opted out of law school at some point to pursue politics.
So for the next couple of years, Kurz and the OVP have a chance to lead Austria, and likely confront the EU. It might be worth watching Austria and the dramatic era ahead.
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