SPÖ Wins Burgenland Election Despite Losing Absolute Majority

The Social Democrats remain the largest party in Burgenland, while the far-right FPÖ achieves historic gains and the ÖVP suffers significant losses.

The SPÖ secured 46.4% of the vote in Burgenland, maintaining its position as the strongest party but losing its absolute majority.
The FPÖ, led by Norbert Hofer, more than tripled its vote share to 23%, marking its best-ever result in the region.
The conservative ÖVP dropped to 22.3%, falling behind the FPÖ and losing nearly nine percentage points compared to the last election.
Hans Peter Doskozil, the SPÖ leader in Burgenland, now faces a decision on forming a coalition with the ÖVP, FPÖ, or the Greens, who re-entered the state parliament with 5.6%.
The election outcome highlights internal tensions within Austria's SPÖ, with Doskozil's centrist approach contrasting with the national party's left-leaning leadership under Andreas Babler.