Far-right party wins Austrian election

The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) secured a historic general election victory on Sunday, marking a significant boost for rightwing populism in Europe.

Austrian election sees victory for far-right freedom party

Led by 55-year-old Herbert Kickl, the FPO garnered 29.1% of the vote, according to projections by pollster Foresight for broadcaster ORF.

The ruling Austrian People’s Party (OVP), led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, came second with 26.2%, while the center-left Social Democrats received 20.4%.

Rise in support fueled by immigration concerns

Kickl’s FPO campaign capitalized on concerns over immigration and the economy, topics that have fueled support for hard-right parties across Europe. His win reflects growing Euroscepticism and rightwing nationalism, seen recently in countries like the Netherlands, France, and Germany.

FPO’s victory and coalition talks

While Kickl celebrated his party’s victory, forming a government may prove challenging. His polarizing leadership style has prompted opposition from other party leaders, including Chancellor Nehammer, who reiterated his refusal to form a coalition with Kickl, though he did not rule out cooperation with the FPO as a party.

Kickl emphasized the FPO’s readiness to engage in coalition talks with all parties. However, Austria’s president, Alexander Van der Bellen, who plays a key role in government formation, has expressed reservations about the FPO due to its stance on the EU and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Concerns over Austria’s role in the EU

Analysts have noted that if Kickl becomes chancellor, Austria’s role in the European Union could shift dramatically. Kickl has praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as a role model and has advocated for lifting sanctions against Russia, arguing that they harm Austria’s economy more than Moscow’s.

The FPO’s election platform includes proposals to build a “Fortress Austria,” severely restricting asylum applications and immigration, particularly from Muslim-majority countries. The party’s stance on immigration and its criticism of the EU have raised concerns domestically and internationally.

Turkish community in Austria constitutes one of the most important elements in Turkish-Austrian relations. The Turkish community in Austria is composed of nearly 300.000 people.

Controversy surrounding the FPO

The FPO has faced repeated controversies over its ties to Austria’s Nazi past. In the lead-up to the election, video footage surfaced showing FPO members attending a funeral where a song popular with the Nazi SS was sung, prompting a Jewish student group in Vienna to file a legal complaint against the party.

Kickl’s hardline policies on immigration and his close ties to far-right leaders in Europe have sparked concerns about the future of Austria’s democratic institutions.