The Beer Party in Austria is gearing up for this year’s parliamentary election, despite falling short of its funding target. Founded as a joke in 2015 by Dominik Wlazny, a medical doctor and rock musician, the party has gained significant support and is now seen as a serious contender in the upcoming election.
Wlazny, 37, expressed confidence in the party’s decision to run, citing the massive support they have received as motivation to push forward. While the party had set a goal of increasing its membership to 20,000, it currently only has around 1,300 active members. However, Wlazny remains optimistic, stating that they have fulfilled more than half of their funding goal and are constantly receiving more support.
In the last parliamentary election in 2019, the Beer Party secured just 0.1% of the vote. However, Wlazny’s third-place finish in the 2022 presidential election with 8.3% of the vote has boosted the party’s credibility. Recent opinion polls show the party’s support ranging between 5% and 7%.
The party has campaigned on a mix of serious and lighthearted issues, from improving the public health system to installing public beer fountains in Vienna. Despite Wlazny’s relaxed and iconoclastic style, his recent appearances have been carefully managed, with no questions taken from reporters after his statement on Tuesday.
With the election approaching, the Beer Party faces the challenge of reaching the 4% threshold needed to enter parliament. As the political landscape in Austria shifts, the Beer Party’s presence adds an interesting dynamic to the upcoming election.