Austrian Greens Rally in Graz, Gewessler Targets Coalition and Far Right

The Green leader also took aim at Andreas Babler, mocking their campaign pledges on wealth and inheritance taxes. 'The red election promises regarding wealth and inheritance tax melted away faster than the glaciers,' she said. 'That is how quickly conviction can disappear.'

Gewessler argued that Austria's tax system perpetuates extreme inequality. 'The top goal must be to make people's lives easier again,' she said. 'It starts with a simple calculation: wealth in Austria is so outrageously unfairly distributed because taxes are so outrageously unfairly distributed.'

She singled out 'billion-euro heirs and private-jet fat cats' who live off interest payments, insisting they must finally contribute their fair share. Addressing the ÖVP directly, she added: 'Dear ÖVP, performance must be rewarded again, not just inheritance.'

A Call for Fairness and Proximity

The Greens' Bundessprecherin also criticized the government's record on women's policy, accusing it of treating women as unintelligent. 'The women's policy of this federal government apparently consists of selling women for fools,' she said.

Gewessler pointed to international examples as a model, noting that Greens in Britain are currently 'collecting the meltwater from Labour' while simultaneously opposing the right-wing politics of Reform UK.

She urged party members to engage directly with citizens, arguing that political warmth comes from proximity. 'If we want lots of people to warm to us, then we have to move towards them,' she said. 'Because closeness means warmth.'

In line with that message, the afternoon programme featured three short speeches by ordinary citizens who had applied to address the congress.

Graz Election in Focus

The upcoming Graz municipal election on 28 September was also a focal point. Gewessler highlighted the record of local Green leadership, stating, 'Where the Greens govern, it is noticeable.'

She concluded with a rallying cry to the delegates, urging them to campaign tirelessly: 'Run every day now to win heart after heart for the Green cause.'