Austrians will vote in parliamentary elections, with the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) leading in the polls with 28% of the vote. While the party may not secure an absolute majority, if it were to become the lead coalition partner, it would push Austria further to the right. The FPÖ’s manifesto is anti-immigrant, Eurosceptic, and proposes a ban on “political Islam.” The party plans to cut provisions for asylum seekers, block family reunification visas, and support a strategy of “remigration.” Its leader, Herbert Kickl, is seen as a charismatic figure who has connected with Austrian concerns in a way that other party leaders have not.
The FPÖ has successfully tapped into Austrians’ concerns about the cost of living and immigration, which are the two main issues facing the country. The party has blamed migration and the war in Ukraine for Austria’s high inflation rate, positioning itself as the party that can address these issues. The FPÖ has also criticized the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the incumbent ruling coalition, accusing them of curtailing citizen freedoms and spreading conspiracy theories about Austria’s vaccination campaign.
The FPÖ has faced challenges in retaining allies in Austrian politics, as the ruling conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) has ruled out entering a coalition with the FPÖ as a junior partner. However, depending on the election result, the ÖVP, centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), and other parties may consider working with the FPÖ to form a government. After polls close and the final votes are counted, the largest party in the new parliament will be asked to form a government, with coalition negotiations potentially lasting for months.
If the FPÖ manages to form a coalition and lead the government, it would join other far-right parties in power across Europe. This could pose a challenge for the European Union project, as nationalist and anti-European parties in governments may hinder the integration of the Union and impact specific measures. The FPÖ’s rise in Austria reflects a broader trend in Europe where far-right parties gain support on anti-immigration and Eurosceptic platforms, challenging the current political landscape and potentially shaping the future direction of the continent.
Overall, the Austrian parliamentary elections represent a pivotal moment for the country as voters decide the political direction they want to take. The FPÖ’s surge in the polls highlights the growing support for far-right politics in Austria and the issues that are at the forefront of voters’ minds. As the election results unfold and coalition negotiations begin, the future of Austria’s government and its place in the European political landscape will become clearer, with potential implications for the European Union as a whole.
