Styria coalition has fulfilled or partly met 36 percent of pledges

The FPÖ-ÖVP government in Styria has fully or partly implemented 36 percent of its election promises, according to an analysis reported by ORF. The study assessed progress through July 2026 and found that 30 percent of pledges had been fully implemented and 6 percent partly implemented.

The findings were presented on Monday evening in Graz at the launch of the Yearbook of Politics Styria. Political scientist Katrin Praprotnik and her team at the University of Graz examined the government’s record. It is the first such analysis of election promises at state level.

The FPÖ included 205 promises in its 2024 election programme, while the ÖVP made 284. Researchers counted promises that could be measured in practice. About 62 percent of the pledges also appeared in the two parties’ government agreement.

Social policy was a key focus for both parties, though their proposals did not always overlap. It was the FPÖ’s largest area for promises. The researchers cited changes to funding structures, a reform of social assistance, and measures to improve support for young people and people with disabilities. The ÖVP’s main campaign focus was infrastructure, including road, rail and broadband projects, and it has also implemented many pledges in that field.

There has been less progress on reforming political institutions and strengthening direct democracy. One completed promise was a new system for allocating needs-based funding to municipalities, Praprotnik said. She also noted that keeping a promise does not always mean introducing a change: parties may pledge to preserve the status quo by opposing proposed changes.