29th September, 2024
In Austria’s recent parliamentary election, the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) achieved a significant win, capturing close to 29% of the votes, an outcome that may position its leader, Herbert Kickl, as a potential Chancellor. This marks the first time the FPÖ, known for its stringent policies on immigration and the Ukraine conflict, has led in a national election.
This victory is part of a broader trend where far-right groups across Europe, such as in France and the Netherlands, have gained traction. Kickl, known for his pro-Russian stance and criticism of the EU’s Ukraine policy, leveraged this sentiment to address the cost-of-living crisis impacting Europe.
Despite nearly leading the polls for two years, the FPÖ’s win exceeded expectations, overshadowing the moderate conservative ÖVP, which managed about 26% of the vote, and the Greens who faced significant losses. The Social Democrats also saw a historic low at 21%.
Post-election, Austria faces potentially complex coalition negotiations. While the FPÖ’s strong performance might complicate its participation in power, as forming a coalition as the junior partner with the ÖVP might not be appealing. The ÖVP, sharing more policy similarities with the FPÖ than other parties, finds Kickl a challenging potential partner due to past conflicts and his controversial leadership style.
Kickl’s approach includes provocative tactics and aligning with groups viewed as extreme, such as the Austrian identitarian movement. His campaign rhetoric has even invoked historical figures controversially connected to Austria’s Nazi past.
Austria now stands at a crossroads, with its political direction heavily influenced by the recent electoral outcomes and the potential formations of its governing coalitions. The implications of this election will resonate not only within Austria but across Europe, as parties and leaders watch closely.