Österreichische Volkspartei
Austrian People's Party
Austrian People's Party
European Parliament Group
Change of -5.0 since last election
+0.8 in the last 3 months
The foundation of the ÖVP rests on the values of Christian humanism, personal responsibility, and solidarity. Its worldview is shaped by the principle of subsidiarity: the state intervenes only when individuals, families, or communities are overwhelmed. The party combines liberal economic approaches with a value-conservative social vision. It emphasizes the preservation of traditions and a strong national identity within a stable European framework, viewing property rights and the social market economy as cornerstones of prosperity.
The ÖVP's agenda focuses on economic competitiveness, tax relief for high-achievers, and a restrictive immigration policy. It positions itself as a representative of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, and the agricultural community. A central area of tension involves balancing ecological imperatives with industrial interests. The party advocates for a strong rule of law and champions security and public order, while in social policy, it emphasizes targeted support to prioritize individual initiative over state dependency.
As one of the dominant forces of the Second Republic, the ÖVP holds a central position of power within Austria's political system. Its strategy relies on strong roots in the federal states (Bundesländer) and professional chambers, granting it profound informal influence. Regarding the rule of law, it acts as a foundational pillar, yet frequently faces criticism when conservative power aspirations clash with an independent judiciary or strict oversight mechanisms. It embodies the interface between business and public administration.
We surveyed voters across all parties within the PolitPro community about their stances on key political issues. The bars illustrate the range of opinions among ÖVP supporters. A shorter bar indicates a more homogeneous opinion among supporters. Where available, the party's official position is displayed as a circle.
These values are derived from data provided by ÖVP supporters on the PolitPro platform. While this data is not a traditional representative random sample, the high number of participants provides deep insights into the priorities and values of the active voter base.
Total Duration: 69 years • 7 months • 2 weeks • 6 days
Total Duration: 42 years • 2 months • 2 weeks • 6 days
Total Duration: 27 years • 5 months
The party participated in government for 79% of the legislative period.
A comprehensive research database from the University of Bremen, documenting parties, elections, and governments for comparative analysis.ParlGov – Parliamentary Democracy Data
Döring, Holger and Philip Manow. 2024. Parliaments and governments database (ParlGov).
The leading expert survey on party positions in Europe. Over 400 political scientists document party stances based on rigorous scientific criteria.CHES – Chapel Hill Expert Survey
Rovny, Jan, et al. “25 Years of Political Party Positions in Europe: The Chapel Hill Expert Survey, 1999-2024.”