The right-wing populists in Austria are celebrating the best day in their party’s history. The party benefits from the discontent among the population. Now the Federal President speaks out.
“What I said before the election, I will also say after the election.” After the parliamentary elections, Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer is sticking to his rejection of cooperation with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl. The big election winner Kickl, for his part, hopes: “I think there will be some movement in the matter.”
The parliamentary election in Austria has significantly shaken up the political balance of power. According to projections, the right-wing FPÖ celebrates a historic victory with 28.9 percent. The right-wing populists are clearly ahead of the power-spoiled ÖVP (26.3 percent) and the once again disappointing social democratic SPÖ. The Social Democrats are only in third place for the first time with around 21 percent, according to data from the Foresight Institute on behalf of ORF.
Kickl sees the election victory as a signal for a change of direction in Austria. “The voters have spoken today,” he said in his first reaction. The voters “made a clear commitment that things cannot continue like this in this country.”
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will personally get involved in exploring possible cooperation between parties. The head of state announced that he would soon hold talks with every party represented in parliament. “I will try to explore what viable compromises there could be. Who can work with whom and who wants what for Austria.” In any case, basic political pillars such as the protection of minorities, media freedom and EU membership cannot be shaken.
Election researcher: FPÖ benefits from discontent in the country
The election result is a turning point for Austria in several respects. The ÖVP and SPÖ have never been so weak at the same time. The ÖVP, with Chancellor Karl Nehammer at the helm, recorded one of its worst election results. According to election researchers’ findings, the FPÖ benefited enormously from the great discontent among the population. Austria is deep in an economic downturn and unemployment is growing. In addition, the Alpine republic has been one of the EU countries with particularly high inflation in recent years. In addition, the FPÖ’s strict anti-migration policy is considered popular.
According to the information, the Greens can expect 8.3 percent (minus 5.6 percentage points), the liberal Neos with 9.2 percent – that would be a small plus. The Neos in particular positioned themselves as a force willing to reform during the election campaign and are hoping for a three-party coalition with the ÖVP and SPÖ. “We are ready. Without us nothing will change,” said Neos boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger. The Beer Party and the communist KPÖ clearly failed at the four percent hurdle. In total, almost 6.4 million citizens were called upon to elect a new parliament. Most recently, the country was governed by a coalition of the ÖVP and the Greens.
The FPÖ’s significant gains are in line with the Europe-wide right-wing trend. Right-wing parties have gained popularity across Europe, for example in the Netherlands Geert Wilders and his right-wing radical Party for Freedom (PVV), the Italian right-wing party Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) with Giorgia Meloni at the helm and the right-wing national Rassemblement National (RN ) with Marine Le Pen in France. In Germany, the AfD achieved great success in the state elections in Saxony, Thuringia and Brandenburg.
FPÖ victory under the motto “Fortress Austria”
In its election program, the FPÖ promoted an extremely restrictive migration policy under the motto “Fortress Austria – Fortress Freedom”. The party calls for migrants to be returned to their home countries and wants “homogeneity” in society as a counter to the diversity that is often sought internationally. When it comes to foreign policy, the FPÖ is extremely critical of the EU. Despite the war in Ukraine, it is taking a rather benevolent course towards Russia and sees no problem with Austria’s dependence on Russian gas.
High hurdles before Kickl becomes chancellor
Despite the victory, it will be very difficult for Kickl to become the next chancellor. All parties have so far refused to work with the 55-year-old. Under Kickl’s aegis, for example, the FPÖ gave up its former distance from the Identitarians, who were classified as right-wing extremists. Federal President Van der Bellen does not necessarily have to give the task of forming a government to the party with the highest number of votes. The former Green Party leader has repeatedly made clear his criticism of the FPÖ’s political positions on EU, migration and the war in Ukraine.
It is therefore likely that Chancellor Nehammer will be given the task of forging a government coalition. The alternative to the FPÖ is the SPÖ. However, an alliance is considered difficult because SPÖ leader Andreas Babler has moved the Social Democrats far to the left with demands such as a 32-hour week. One of the questions that now arises is whether Babler can stay in office given the result.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
