Austria's FPÖ Triumphs in Unprecedented Election Victory Amidst Coalition Challenges
In a shocking turn of events, the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) in Austria has secured a historic victory in the elections for the renewal of the lower house of parliament, garnering 29.2% of the votes—significantly higher than pre-election polls and nearly doubling its support from previous elections. This marks the first instance since World War II that a party with roots in Nazi ideology has prevailed in a national vote, as reported by Politico.
Despite this achievement, forming a government poses a challenge for the FPÖ, as no other political parties appear willing to join forces with the far-right group in a coalition—a sentiment echoed during the election campaign.
The other parties' performances were as follows: the People's Party (ÖVP), a center-right party that has governed in coalition with the Greens over the last five years, finished second with 26.5% of the vote. The Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), which has been in opposition in the prior term, secured 21% of the vote, landing it in third place. The liberal NEOS party trailed in fourth with 9%, while the Greens received 8%, securing fifth place. Smaller parties, including the Austrian Communist Party (KPÖ), did not surpass the 4% electoral threshold. In a positive sign for democracy, voter turnout was high, exceeding 70% of eligible voters.
Herbert Kickl, the leader of the FPÖ, expressed confidence in the election results, stating, "Today's results could not be clearer," and emphasizing that his party should lead the next government. However, the Austrian Constitution delegates the final decision on ministerial and chancellor appointments to President Alexander Van der Bellen. As a former leader of the Greens and the nation's president since 2017, Van der Bellen has already indicated his reluctance to appoint Kickl as prime minister due to his Eurosceptic and pro-Russian stances. Nonetheless, it may be difficult for the president to disregard the election outcome completely. There is a possibility for the FPÖ to forge a coalition with the center-right if Kickl agrees to relinquish some key government roles.
Another potential pathway for forming a government could see the ÖVP aligning with at least one other party, whether that be the Social Democrats or NEOS, to create a coalition aimed at preventing the FPÖ from leading the government. However, there is a significant risk involved; by remaining in opposition for another five years, the FPÖ could bolster its support base, leading to an even larger electoral victory in subsequent elections. Consequently, the process for establishing a new government could be lengthy and fraught with complications.
The FPÖ is recognized as one of Europe’s oldest far-right political factions, founded in 1956. Its inaugural president, Anton Reinthaller, was a former member of the Nazi Party and an SS officer. The party began to adopt extremist Eurosceptic stances and a hostile attitude towards immigration during the 1980s—a trend reflected in several other European political movements, such as France's National Rally and Italy’s Northern League. Although the FPÖ encountered a crisis following the resignation of president Heinz-Christian Strache due to scandals, it managed to regain its footing and increase support in recent years by employing aggressive rhetoric against migrants, particularly those from Muslim backgrounds, amid a growing public distrust of established political parties.
Kickl's reputation within the realm of politics is one of extremism, even according to his party's standards. He is known for advocating the suspension of the right to asylum in Austria and supports a controversial Remigration policy, which calls for the mass expulsion of migrants and foreigners. He has a strong admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and recently co-founded a far-right group in the European Parliament called Patriots for Europe. Kickl often refers to himself as "Chancellor of the People" (Volkskanzler), a title reminiscent of terms used by Adolf Hitler.
As Austria navigates a complex political landscape in the aftermath of this election, the coming weeks and months will likely dictate the future not only of the FPÖ but also of the broader European political climate.
Related Sources: