In Vienna, more than 35% of the population will be excluded from voting in the upcoming city council elections on April 27th, marking a new low for voter inclusion.
With around 610,000 non-Austrian citizens aged 16 and above residing in the city, many of whom are EU nationals, their absence from the electoral process raises growing concerns about democracy’s reach.
While EU citizens can vote in local district elections, they remain barred from the city council vote, which doubles as the regional parliament—a privilege reserved exclusively for Austrian nationals.
This exclusion isn’t merely an issue of immigration; it reflects Austria’s stringent naturalisation policies.
As the percentage of non-voters rises—currently nearing 65%—organisations like SOS Mitmensch warn that Vienna risks becoming a “half-democracy.”
The gap is especially stark in neighbourhoods near the iconic Ringstrasse, where disenfranchised populations are most concentrated.
As calls for reform grow louder, many fear that a tightening grip on citizenship could further erode the democratic fabric of the city, sidelining a significant portion of its diverse population.