- Austria’s far-right FPÖ wins election but lacks a majority
- Forming a coalition will be challenging due to Kickl’s divisive leadership
- FPÖ success follows a trend of far-right wins across Europe
Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has secured a historic victory, winning 29.2% of the vote in Sunday’s election. Although the FPÖ emerged as the largest party, surpassing the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), it fell short of a majority. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl described the win as a “new era” for Austria, thanking voters for their “optimism, courage, and trust.”
Despite the FPÖ’s victory, Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the ÖVP has ruled out forming a government with Kickl, citing his association with conspiracy theories. Nehammer’s party garnered 26.5% of the vote. Voter turnout was high at 74.9%, with many voters driven by concerns over migration, the economy, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Kickl’s Freedom Party, which has won 56 seats in the 183-seat parliament, has championed policies like strict immigration controls and “remigration”—returning asylum seekers to their countries of origin. Kickl has also proposed a bar on asylum seekers gaining citizenship, as part of his vision for a “Fortress Austria” to restore security and prosperity.
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The FPÖ’s victory is part of a broader trend of far-right success across Europe, with recent wins for right-wing parties in Italy, Germany, and France. However, Kickl’s leadership and far-right positions, including his ties to conspiracy theories and controversial historical rhetoric, make forming a coalition challenging. The Social Democrats, Greens, and Neos have all refused to partner with the FPÖ.
Political analysts suggest that while the FPÖ may have difficulty finding coalition partners, pressure may mount within the ÖVP for Nehammer to reconsider his stance. However, President Alexander Van der Bellen, who oversees coalition formations, may hesitate to grant Kickl a mandate due to the FPÖ’s pro-Russian stance and criticism of the EU.
The FPÖ’s victory comes after a difficult recovery from a 2019 scandal that led to the party finishing third in the previous election. Kickl’s campaign capitalized on Austrians’ fears over immigration and dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, using these issues to stage a political comeback.
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