Far-right freedom party clinches historic victory in Austrian election

Austrian voters gave the far-right Freedom Party its first general election victory on Sunday, according to vote predictions, demonstrating rising support for hard-right parties across Europe, fueled by concerns over immigration numbers.

The election results have sent shockwaves through the European political landscape, with many observers viewing it as a significant shift in Austria's political direction. The Freedom Party's victory comes at a time when several European countries are grappling with similar issues, including immigration, economic uncertainty, and a growing sense of disillusionment with traditional political establishments. This trend has been particularly noticeable in countries like Italy, Sweden, and Hungary, where right-wing parties have made substantial gains in recent years.

For months, the eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPO had a narrow lead in opinion polls over Chancellor Karl Nehammer's ruling conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP), in a campaign driven by immigration and economic concerns.

The FPO, led by 55-year-old Herbert Kickl, was forecast to win 29.1% of the vote, ahead of the OVP on 26.2% and the centre-left Social Democrats on 20.4%, according to pollster Foresight's projection for broadcaster ORF after polls closed.

A separate estimate by pollster Arge Wahlen showed the FPO coming in top, winning by a larger margin than final polling had shown, albeit it will need to form a governing coalition if the country's president requests it.

What is at stake is whether the FPO will pick the chancellor, according to Kathrin Stainer-Haemmerle, a political science professor at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.

If that occurs, I believe Austria's role in the European Union will change dramatically. Kickl has repeatedly stated that (Hungarian Prime Minister) Viktor Orban is a role model for him, and he will support him.

The potential shift in Austria's relationship with the European Union has raised concerns among EU officials and pro-European politicians. Some fear that a Kickl-led government could align more closely with Orban's Hungary, potentially creating a new bloc of Eurosceptic nations within the EU. This development could complicate EU decision-making processes and potentially weaken the union's cohesion on key issues such as migration policy, rule of law, and economic integration.

Kickl, who formed an alliance with Orban this year, is opposed to providing aid to Ukraine and wants sanctions on Russia lifted, claiming they harm Austria more than Moscow. When the election projections were announced, FPO officials and activists at a party gathering in Vienna applauded wildly. Kickl's win may be hollow, as he is a divisive personality against whom other party leaders have refused to serve.

In a televised interview with the FPO leader following predictions, Nehammer repeated his reluctance to establishing a government with Kickl, however he has not ruled out working with the FPO as a party. Kickl emphasized that his party had won and stated that he was willing to talk to all parties about creating a coalition.

The FPO's victory, which is hostile of Islam and promises tighter conditions for asylum seekers, comes after far-right successes in the Netherlands, France, and Germany.

Sarah Wolf, a 22-year-old graphic designer and Austrian Communist Party supporter in Vienna, expressed concern ahead of the vote about the implications of an FPO victory.

What bothers me the most is that if the FPO receives the most votes, we will see a steady, gradual loss in media variety, democracy, and understanding, like Viktor Orban did. There are so many extremely scary signs.

Viktor de Lijzer, a 17-year-old soldier who supports the FPO, said the party was best positioned to address what he perceived as excessive criminal violence caused by immigration.

The stark contrast in opinions between Sarah Wolf and Viktor de Lijzer highlights the deep divisions within Austrian society. These divisions are not unique to Austria but reflect broader tensions across Europe as countries grapple with balancing national identity, security concerns, and humanitarian obligations. The rise of the FPO and similar parties across the continent has been fueled by a complex mix of factors, including economic uncertainty, cultural anxieties, and a perceived failure of mainstream parties to address these issues effectively.

President Alexander Van der Bellen, who controls cabinet formation, has expressed concern about the FPO's criticism of the EU and unwillingness to denounce Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The party rejects EU penalties against Moscow, citing Austria's neutrality.

He has intimated that he would defy Kickl, claiming that the constitution does not require him to request that the first-placed party form a government, despite the fact that this has long been the convention.

The FPO, which wants to cease giving refuge and erect a fortress in Austria to keep migrants out, was founded in the 1950s by a former Nazi lawmaker. It has attempted to alter its image, but additional controversy regarding its past arose over the weekend when a video published by newspaper Der Standard showed members of the party attending a funeral and singing a song popular with the Nazi SS.

A Jewish student group in Vienna later filed a complaint against FPO members, accusing them of violating anti-Nazi laws. The FPO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The controversy surrounding the FPO's historical links to Nazi ideology underscores the challenges the party faces in its attempts to rebrand itself as a mainstream political force. While the FPO has made efforts to distance itself from its controversial past, incidents like the one reported by Der Standard continue to raise questions about the party's true nature and values. This ongoing debate about the FPO's ideological roots is likely to remain a contentious issue in Austrian politics, potentially influencing coalition negotiations and the party's ability to govern effectively if given the opportunity.