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“Floods are rising, politicians are silent,” reads a sign at the Fridays For Future demonstration in Vienna on Friday. In comparison, there were fewer participants than before across Austria. They hope that the flood disaster will influence the election outcome in a week.

“Vote for democracy, save the climate,” reads the banner that leads the “Fridays For Future” demonstration on Vienna’s Ring on Friday. As part of the global climate strike, one week before the national election, thousands of people across Austria have gathered to protest once again for more climate protection. “What do we want?” shouts a young woman wearing a safety vest into a megaphone. “Climate Justice!” shouts the crowd back as it slowly sets off from Schwarzenbergplatz.

 APA/Georg Hochmuth

Thousands of activists gathered there at 3 p.m. Protests were also held in other state capitals on Friday, as in other cities around the world. However, the number of participants in Vienna was lower than in previous environmental activists’ actions. The mood at Schwarzenbergplatz was good, however, with people sitting on the grass waiting for the official start. They held posters and banners in their hands, and many carried printed T-shirts or cloth bags. Some came by bike.

“The FPÖ is pulling everyone along, the ÖVP is leaning back”

A girl holds up a poster: “The floods are rising, politicians are silent,” it reads. Austria is in the middle of the most intensive phase of the election campaign – and just a few days after an extreme flood disaster. It is clear that the frustration with politics is particularly great at this time. “5 good years, the climate says something different” is written on a poster that refers to an FPÖ election campaign slogan.

“No to black and blue” reads another. “I am dissatisfied” proclaims another sign. When asked, the young man holding it explains why: “Politicians should finally listen to science. Austria’s climate policy is, perhaps with the exception of the Greens, rather poor.” Social media accounts close to the ÖVP and FPÖ had already been concerned about this in advance. They see unfair tailwind for the Greens in the final meters before the vote.

In fact, SPÖ top candidate Andreas Babler was also present. He posted a video on X that evening in which he announced that he had also taken part in the climate strike.

A group is wearing yellow and blue T-shirts with the words “ZusammenhaltNÖ” printed on them. They are talking about politics and the upcoming elections. The initiative has set itself the goal of observing politics in Lower Austria. One man says he is disappointed by what he is experiencing there: “Nothing is moving forward. The FPÖ is pulling everyone along, the ÖVP is just sitting back.” Is this why voters are now rethinking the climate crisis? “I hope so. I hope they choose the right thing,” says a demonstrator who comes from the disaster area.

There were also demonstrations in Germany, here in Freiburg im Breisgau, on Friday. Imago / Finley Mörch

Wide age range

At 4 p.m. the crowd finally starts moving. It heads towards Maria-Theresien-Platz. According to the Vienna police, 4,000 people are registered, and more are expected. Some people on the side of the road join the protest march.

The age range of the protesters is broad. A child is being pushed in a stroller, and next to them senior citizens are carrying a banner that reads “Seniors for Future”. One pensioner says that the climate affects everyone. She has also changed her lifestyle. “I don’t fly anymore, I took the train to Sylt,” says the 67-year-old. As she walks past, she flashes the peace sign. Next to her, young people and “grannies against the right” are dancing to the music coming from the large jukeboxes. They are different, but they are all here at the Ring for the same reason: “We are here, we are loud, because you are stealing our future!”

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