Climate demonstration in Vienna: 4,000 participants protest in intense election campaign

“The floods are rising, the politicians are silent,” read a banner at a Fridays for Future demonstration in Vienna on Friday. By comparison, the turnout across Austria was lower than before. They hope the flood disaster will have an impact on the election result within a week.

“Vote for democracy, save the climate,” reads the banner at the Fridays for Future demonstration on the Wiener Ring on Friday. As part of the global climate strike, thousands of people have gathered across Austria a week ahead of national council elections to once again protest for more climate protection. “What do we want?” a young woman in a high-visibility vest shouts into a loudspeaker. “Climate justice!” shouts the crowd, slowly moving from Schwarzenbergplatz.

Thousands of activists will gather there at 3 p.m. Protests will also take place in other state capitals on Friday, as in other cities around the world. However, the turnout in Vienna is smaller than in previous campaigns by environmentalists. The atmosphere at Schwarzenbergplatz is still good, with people sitting on the grass and waiting for the official start. They are holding posters and banners, many carrying printed T-shirts or cloth bags. Some have come by bike.

“The Freedom Party attracts everyone, and the Freedom Party declines”

A girl holds a poster that reads: “The floods are rising, the politicians are silent.” Austria is now in the middle of the most intense phase of the election campaign – and just days after the severe flooding disaster. You can tell that the frustration with politics is particularly high at this time. “5 good years, the climate says something different” reads the poster, referring to the FPÖ's election campaign slogan.

“No to black and blue” can be read on another page. “I am not satisfied,” declares another sign. Asked to explain why, the young man holding it says: “Politicians should finally listen to science. Climate policy in Austria, with the exception of the Greens, is probably a bit bad. They see an unfair wind in favour of the Greens in the last few metres before the vote.”

In fact, Andreas Babler, the SPÖ's front-runner, was also present. That evening, he posted a video on X announcing that he too was taking part in the climate strike.

A group wearing yellow and blue T-shirts with the words “ZusammhaltNÖ” on them talk about politics and the upcoming elections. The aim of the initiative is to monitor politics in Lower Austria. One of the men says he is disappointed with what he is experiencing there: “Nothing is happening. The Freedom Party is attracting everyone, the People's Party is in decline. Is that why voters are now rethinking the climate crisis?” “I hope so. I hope they choose the right thing,” says one of the protesters who came from the disaster area.

Wide age range

Finally, at 4 p.m., the crowd starts to move. It heads towards Maria Theresien Square. According to the Vienna police, 4,000 people have registered, and more are expected. Some people on the side of the road join the protest.

The age range of the protesters is wide. A baby is pushed in a stroller, next to him elderly people hold a sign reading “Older people for the future”. The climate concerns everyone, says a pensioner. She has also changed her lifestyle. “I no longer fly, I travel to Sylt by train,” says the 67-year-old. A peace sign appears as she passes. Next to her, young people and “grannies against the right” dance to music from large jukeboxes. They are different, but here in the arena they are all for the same reason: “We are here, we are loud because you are stealing our future!”