Overshadowed by the Austrian Notionalrat? Tensions of Austrian State and Local Elections in 2008

In addition to advanced federal elections, two important political events shaped Austria in 2008. State elections were held in Lower Austria and Tyrol, and Graz elected a new municipal council already in January. Although the results hardly changed the respective governments in power, many votes were swapped between the parties in all of these elections. The article summarizes the election results and voter transition analyses, and compares socio-demographic characteristics of the voting behaviour. Voting motives also are being addressed, as are the reasons for non-voting. The main findings suggest a shrinking gender gap in Austria (only still valid for voters of the Freedom Party and of the Greens), a growing volatility among middle-aged voters, and subsequently emerging spaces for new parties.