After an "interregnum" of five years the Social
Democrats regained an absolute majority on the council of "Red
Vienna".
Vienna has a symbolic value for the Austrian labour
movement. Ever since
the democratic revolution of 1918 this city
has been governed by the Social Democrats,
with just two
interruptions: the period of Austro-Fascism, followed by the Nazi
regime
(1934-1945), and the period from 1996 to 2001, when the
party lost its absolute majority
and collaborated with the weak
Conservative party. Now the Social Democracy is back again.
But
will they be able to live up to the expectations of the workers who
voted for them?
After a wave of protests against the right-wing
government at the beginning of last year and the first signs of mobilisation by
the Austrian Trade Union Federation (Osterreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund,
OGB), the coalition government formed by the conservative People's Party and
the extreme right-wing Freedom Party was finally able to temporarily stabilise its
position, thanks mainly to the policy of the leadership of the OGB which tried to
prolong its old "social partnership". Now however things are getting hot in
Austria and this Autumn we could see a worker backlash.
This event was organised by Der Funke and the Young Socialists from May 17-20. The thirst for
ideas amongst the activists was demonstrated in 28 workshops held over the three days.