Eleni Zampelis
Athens, Greece
Billy Joel's Vienna is about patience, self-examination, and not living life too quickly. "Slow down, you crazy child," he sings, telling us that the future is not something to be rushed toward; it's already there, waiting for when we are ready to face it. But what if that future is not just personal? What if Vienna, or Austria at large, is waiting for something more: for young people to join the political discussion?
Joel's lyrics speak to someone moving too quickly, caught up in ambitions without considering the long-term consequences. This could be said of Austria's political landscape. There have been enormous changes in recent years, yet political engagement is too frequently sluggish. The country stands at a crossroads, faced with challenges such as the rise of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), ongoing debates about neutrality amid a shifting European security environment, and economic pressures weighing on its traditionally large welfare state. Meanwhile, climate change policy is becoming increasingly a terrain on which Austrians struggle to balance environmental aspirations and economic pragmatism. These are not abstruse issues – they have a bearing on jobs, schools, healthcare, and freedoms. Waiting for the "perfect" moment to discuss politics can result in losing the chance entirely.
Similarly to Joel’s Vienna, there's also a sense of inevitability in Austrian politics. "You have so much to do and only so many hours daily," Joel sings. Austria has some big decisions to make regarding its future, yet many young people are still unplugged, relegating politics to something they will "get to later." How much later? At what cost? The rise of the FPÖ, which has taken on nationalist rhetoric and anti-immigration policies, marks a realignment of the political identity of Austria. With elections looming, the FPÖ is leading in some polls, challenging the ruling Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Social Democrats (SPÖ). This is not a drill; Austria is on the cusp of a fundamental change. Despite all this, the voter turnout of the youth has been inconsistent. Austria has the early voting age of 16, but it is unclear if young voters are taking this opportunity. Are they leaving Vienna and the rest of Austria waiting in vain? Billy Joel romanticizes Vienna as a place of wisdom, patience, and second chances. Politics, however, does not always offer second chances; Austria, in a period of realignment of uncertain alliances with the EU, global markets, and domestic political parties, reflects this.
Joel’s Vienna represents a potentially reassuring future; it is always there when you're ready. Austrian politics is not so forgiving. If voters, especially amongst the youth, do not make themselves heard now, they might wake up to a Vienna they no longer recognize, a country shaped by decisions in which they did not have a voice. Billy Joel's message is a message of balance, of understanding when to move forward and when to glance backward. Yet Austria today requires engaged citizens who do not merely observe politics but who make it.
So when will you realize, Vienna waits but also wonders: what are you waiting for?
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