Austria faces tight election as far right seeks historic victory

Supporters of Freedom Party (FPOe) attend their final election rally in Vienna, Austria. (Reuters)

“What’s at stake is whether the FPO will appoint the chancellor or not,” said political science professor Kathrin Stainer-Haemmerle. If the far-right party wins, it could lead to significant changes in Austria’s relationship with the European Union, as Kickl has expressed admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and criticised the EU, as reported by Reuters. 

The eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPO, which advocates stricter asylum policies and has been critical of Islam, recently claimed a narrow victory over the OVP in the European elections. If it wins this national election, Austria would join several EU countries, including the Netherlands and Germany, in experiencing a surge in far-right support.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has expressed concerns about the FPO, particularly its stance on the EU and its opposition to condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He has hinted that, although it is convention for the first-placed party to form a government, he may not necessarily invite Kickl to do so.

Despite both the OVP and FPO supporting tougher immigration rules, Nehammer has ruled out forming a coalition with Kickl as the far-right party’s leader. “Ideally I would vanish into thin air for you but I won’t do you that favour, Mr Nehammer,” Kickl remarked this week when asked if he would step aside to allow his party to join the government as a junior partner.

Kickl has pledged to halt asylum claims entirely and create a “fortress Austria” to block migrants, though such measures are widely seen as impractical or illegal. He also criticised sanctions against Moscow, claiming they harm Austria more than Russia.

Nehammer, who has led a coalition government with the Greens since 2021, has worked to present himself as a stabilising force, particularly in light of recent severe flooding in Austria. His response to the crisis has likely helped him gain ground in the final days of the election race.

“If the FPO wins … it’ll have bad consequences for women, people of migrant origin and climate change,” said 55-year-old Susanne Pinter, a Green Party supporter in Vienna.

(with inputs from Reuters)

From the homepage

Amid internal strife in Naxal ranks, Amit Shah draws the red line: ‘What talks? Drop weapons or…’

Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah hospitalised in Srinagar

Hyderabad youth in US for Master’s degree shot dead at gas station, where he worked part-time