FPÖ spent little in two cities as election budgets surged

Budgets for Vorarlberg’s 2025 municipal elections rose sharply, while Freedom Party (FPÖ) branches in Dornbirn and Feldkirch spent relatively little per vote, according to party accounts reported by ORF.

The state’s parliamentary parties must file annual financial reports, which are then reviewed. Local party branches do not have to disclose their exact campaign costs, but their finances are generally modest in non-election years. The sharp increases in 2025 are therefore likely to reflect campaign spending.

The ÖVP branch in Feldkirch spent about 4,700 euros in 2023, a year without municipal, state or national elections, and roughly 118,800 euros in 2025. It won 35.7 percent of the vote in the city council election, ahead of the FPÖ on 24.7 percent. The FPÖ spent 13,900 euros in Feldkirch, the lowest amount among the city parties, or about 4.80 euros per vote. In Dornbirn, the FPÖ spent about 2.30 euros per vote.

Spending was higher in Bregenz, Vorarlberg’s capital. The FPÖ had a budget of nearly 22,000 euros, below that of the city’s NEOS branch, but spent about 19.10 euros per vote after receiving 11.2 percent. The ÖVP spent 227,500 euros and received 3,053 votes, equivalent to about 74.50 euros per vote. It lost first place to the SPÖ list led by Mayor Michael Ritsch.

Political scientist Laurenz Ennser-Jedenastik said campaign budgets often reflect the resources available to parties. In Bregenz, the ÖVP received funds from the state party, the Economic Association and the ÖAAB employees’ association. But spending alone cannot secure more votes, he said, adding that personal contact with voters is likely the most effective campaign tool and is difficult to scale up with money.

The state audit office is now reviewing the latest party reports, which include local figures. All parliamentary parties were fined last year over bookkeeping errors in their 2023 reports. The ÖVP recorded a repayment of 156,312 euros in party funding, contributing to its negative annual result. FPÖ membership fee income rose by 134 percent to nearly 19,000 euros, while the Farmers’ Association’s income from fees fell from about 23,900 to 7,100 euros. Such changes can reflect membership numbers, fee levels or how contributions are divided between party branches.