Austria: Austria is heading to the general election that could see the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) achieve a historic first-place victory. The FPO, led by Herbert Kickl, has steadily gained support and currently leads in the opinion polls, narrowly overtaking the ruling conservative Austrian People’s Party (OVP) led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer. The opposition Social Democrats hold third place.
Kickl’s party, which is polling around 27%, has successfully tapped into voter concerns about migration, rising inflation, and dissatisfaction with how the government handled the Covid-19 pandemic. Herbert Kickl’s note has resonated with many Austrians, even though his controversial rhetoric and use of terms like Volkskanzler (a title associated with Adolf Hitler) have raised opposition, given the FPO’s post-World War II origins, which involved former Nazis.
Despite its potential success, the FPO wins in facing steep challenges in forming a government. No party is expected to win an outright majority, making coalition-building crucial. However, several key players, including the conservative OVP, Social Democrats, and Greens, have expressed reluctance or outright opposition to working with Kickl’s FPO.
Beste Stimmung heute am Stephansplatz! pic.twitter.com/1rsPHyXdkD
— FPÖ (@FPOE_TV) September 27, 2024
Political analyst Thomas Hofer notes that even if the FPO finishes first, Kickl is unlikely to secure the chancellorship without overcoming significant opposition. Hofer stated that, “It would be a shockwave, but it doesn’t mean that they will automatically lead a government.”
The FPO’s alignment with far-right parties across Europe, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government, and Kickl’s soft stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have further sophisticated his appeal among Austria’s political elite. President Alexander Van der Bellen has also raised concerns about the FPO leading the country.
As the election emerges, the OVP has framed the race as a choice between stability and chaos, seeking to attract centrist voters with slogans like “Vote Stability” and “Vote Centre.” Nehammer has criticised Kickl’s embrace of conspiracy theories, while the Greens have categorically ruled out forming a coalition with the far-right party.
Forming a stable government may take months, as Austria’s restrictive citizenship laws mean about 1.5 million long-term residents are excluded from voting, despite being taxpayers and residents. In Vienna, nearly one-third of the population is ineligible to vote, leading to protests over their exclusion.
As Austrians prepare to cast their ballots, the FPO’s rise signals a growing shift in the country’s political landscape, with the outcome potentially sending shockwaves across Europe.
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