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In late April, regional elections were held in the Austrian state of Salzburg. The big surprise was the historic success of the Communist Party. There are several factors that explain these developments. First, the party addressed the right issues. Its campaign was focused on municipal social policies, primarily on the issue of affordable housing. Second, the top candidate Kay-Michael Dankl convinced many to cast their vote. During the campaign, Dankl managed to communicate radical positions, such as that housing should not be a commodity and that the basic needs of the working majority should prevail over the interests of investors, in such a convincing way that hardly anyone could contradict him. Third, without significant financial resources, the Communist Party has built an increasingly powerful regional organization. Through its consistent work in defense of the interests of the working majority it has gained credibility among voters. Fourth, in light of inflation, growing poverty and rising social inequality, many people are disappointed by politics. This disenchantment has either led to a declining voter turnout, as many believe that politics no longer changes anything, or to electoral successes of “anti-establishment” parties, both on the left and the right. Fifth, the support for the Communist Party in Salzburg was also a response to the crisis of capitalism. Dankl and his comrades have gone against the interests of capital and the logic of profit-making. They have put the common good and the basic needs of the working class in housing, education, health care and public transport above the interests of capital.
In late April, regional elections were held in the Austrian state of Salzburg. The big surprise was the historic success of the Communist Party. There are several factors that explain these developments. First, the party addressed the right issues. Its campaign was focused on municipal social policies, primarily on the issue of affordable housing. Second, the top candidate Kay-Michael Dankl convinced many to cast their vote. During the campaign, Dankl managed to communicate radical positions, such as that housing should not be a commodity and that the basic needs of the working majority should prevail over the interests of investors, in such a convincing way that hardly anyone could contradict him. Third, without significant financial resources, the Communist Party has built an increasingly powerful regional organization. Through its consistent work in defense of the interests of the working majority it has gained credibility among voters. Fourth, in light of inflation, growing poverty and rising social inequality, many people are disappointed by politics. This disenchantment has either led to a declining voter turnout, as many believe that politics no longer changes anything, or to electoral successes of “anti-establishment” parties, both on the left and the right. Fifth, the support for the Communist Party in Salzburg was also a response to the crisis of capitalism. Dankl and his comrades have gone against the interests of capital and the logic of profit-making. They have put the common good and the basic needs of the working class in housing, education, health care and public transport above the interests of capital.