The nuclear power referendum in Austria

The Austrian political system was challenged by the nuclear referendum on 5 November 1978. Indirectly the campaign became a confrontation between government and opposition, with the neo-corporatist elements backing the government. The outcome overruled the policy intentions of the ruling SPÖ and the wishes of the ‘para-coalition’ of trade unions and employers' associations. The powerful party in government and the forces of private enterprise and organized labour were defeated. The referendum revealed the decline of the political élite's ability to handle a controversial political issue and signalled a new unpredictability in voting behaviour.