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29. 01. 10. - 16:00

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29. 01. 10. - 16:00

Polls show majority lack trust in federal government

Fifty-six per cent of Austrians have little or no trust in the federal government, according to new research.

In a study by Linz firm "market" released today (Fri), 40 per cent said they had little trust and 16 per cent "absolutely no trust" in the federal government.

But 40 per cent said they had great or quite a bit of trust in the government.

In the first week of this month, only 34 per cent had any trust in the federal government, down from 50 per cent in February 2009. Trust levels were lowest in general election month October 2008 at 27 per cent.

But trust levels in provincial governments are much higher with 56 per cent saying they had trust in them. Forty per cent said they did not.

Three weeks ago, 52 per cent had trust in them, down from 62 per cent in February 2009.

More than 70 per cent have trust in the Labour Chamber (AK), and 60 per cent have trust in the Economy Chamber (WKO).

Only 57 per cent trust President Heinz Fischer.

Market polled 574 people older than 15 on 19 and 20 January for ORF-Eco.

The question of trust may also play a role in the three provincial elections this year in Burgenland, Styria and Vienna.

In Burgenland, the right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) could treble its representation in the provincial parliament as debate rages over a third asylum seekers’ centre in Austria, a new poll has shown.

Results of the survey conducted by Graz-based public opinion agency GMK for the Bezirksblätter publishing group released earlier this week show support for the party running at 15 per cent.

In the 2005 provincial election, the party came in third by a narrow margin ahead of the Greens (5.21 per cent) by reaching just 5.75 per cent. The Greens could reach six per cent, the poll says.

The SPÖ could lose its absolute majority in the province, according to the GMK poll, which shows its support running at 48 per cent, down from 52.18 per cent in 2005 when the SPÖ decided to form a coalition with the ÖVP despite the opportunity to govern without a partner.

The Burgenland election – regarded as a key barometer for the Styrian and Viennese provincial elections set to take place in autumn – will take place on 30 May.

In Styria, Social Democratic (SPÖ) Governor Franz Voves has said he will retire from politics if his party loses the upcoming provincial election.

"If we don’t remain the strongest party, there will be no Franz Voves in politics anymore," the Social Democrat – who sensationally defeated the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) in the last provincial elections in 2005 – said in early January.

Polls currently put the SPÖ and Hermann Schützenhöfer’s ÖVP neck and neck in the central Austrian province where people are due to head to the ballot box in October.

Results of an OGM poll released during the first week of January showed support for both SPÖ and ÖVP running at 36 per cent.

Voves said he would have no problem being elected governor in the provincial parliament by his party and the Freedom Party (FPÖ) - an announcement that brought criticism from SPÖ leaders.

The party is at odds over how to handle the right-wing party’s growing popularity.

Vienna SPÖ Mayor Michael Häupl faces the same problem, as polls show the FPÖ is gaining more support in the Austrian capital and may be in a position to get over 20 per cent of the vote in this autumn’s election and possibly deny the SPÖ another majority government.

Austrian Times

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