The election was called at the initiative of the HDV, which at that time was the smaller partner in a centre-right coalition with the LVP under Staatsministerin Emilia Lahnsteiger. The main opposition was formed by the HSP, but the Social Democrats were widely seen as an overly passive opposition, thus heavy losses were expected. LVP and HDV agreed on the election date in early December, and campaigning also started at that time.