I've always personally thought it was far more likely for the Austrian zones, in the event of permanent division, to be united with the German occupation zones and from then on into West and East Germany.
I've heard this idea quite some times now, and I eventually have to say something about that: HELL NO.
That would never happen. After WW2, the idea of Austria beeing part of Germany was so completely and throughoutly discredited, that no austrian nation, socialist or capitalist, would ever willingly become part of Germany again.
Allready on April 27th 1945, representatives of all three major austrian parties (SPÖ, ÖVP, KPÖ) signed the "Proclamation on the Sovereignty of Austria". The Anschluss was decleared null and void, and the "Republic of Austria" was proclaimed. On the same day a provisional austrian government, headed by Karl Renner, was formed.
Furthermore, the Allies of the Anti-Hitler Coalition would never, ever allow Austria to become part of Germany again. Just look at the declaration of the 1943 Moscow Conference:
"The governments of the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and the United States of America are agreed that Austria, the first free country to fall a victim to Hitlerite aggression, shall be liberated from German domination.
They regard the annexation imposed upon Austria by Germany on March 15, 1938, as null and void. They consider themselves as in no way bound by any changes effected in Austria since that date. They declare that they wish to see re-established a free and independent Austria and thereby to open the way for the Austrian people themselves, as well as those neighbouring states which will be faced with similar problems, to find that political and economic security which is the only basis for lasting peace.
Austria is reminded, however that she has a responsibility, which she cannot evade, for participation in the war on the side of Hitlerite Germany, and that in the final settlement account will inevitably be taken of her own contribution to her liberation."
When the occupation of Austria eventually ended in 1955, the Austrian State Treaty explicitly stipulated that Austria was forbidden to ever become part of Germany again.
It's an interesting idea, don't get me wrong, but it definetly belongs to the ASB "All citizens of Austria, and all members of the Soviet, American, British and French governments, suddenly have a brain damage" section. East Germany didn't even border Austria.
Personally, I don't even think that a division of Austria would have been possible/realistic. The existence of an East Austrian state, though the idea is undoubtedly fascinating, is just not plausible. Why? Well, let's compare East Austria to East Germany:
In the 1946 East German State Legislature Elections (which were free, equal and secret), the SED won 47.5% of the votes. The CDU (that also advocated for land reforms, nationalizations and a somewhat planed economy) won 24.5%.
In the 1945 Austrian Legislative Elections, the KPÖ won 5.4% of the votes. Those who SPÖ members who favoured united front or even unification with the communists were a miniority.
You see, that's hardly the same.
P.S. I just realized today is the 75th anniversary of the affore mentioned declaration of independence. So, happy birthday Austria
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