The right-wing populists in Austria are celebrating the best day in their party’s history. The party benefits from the discontent among the population. Now it’s the Federal President’s turn.
“The next time will show who can work with whom and who wants what for Austria.” Austria’s Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen wants to help shape the political explorations between the parties after the parliamentary elections in Austria. He will try to explore what viable compromises there could be to form the next government.
The former Green Party leader did not mention the election winner FPÖ by name, but called for the preservation of liberal democracy, whose basic pillars such as minority protection, media freedom and EU membership should not be shaken.
The winner of the National Council election is the right-wing FPÖ. According to the preliminary final result, the right-wing radicals received 29.2 percent of the vote. “We have opened a door to a new era,” said party leader Herbert Kickl at the election party. “We will now really write this new chapter in Austrian history together.”
Despite the victory, it will be difficult for Kickl to become the next chancellor. All parties have so far refused to work with the 55-year-old. Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer from the conservative ÖVP is sticking to his refusal to work with him after the parliamentary elections. Kickl, for his part, hopes: “I think there will be some movement in the matter.”
The National Council election in Austria has significantly shaken up the political balance of power. The right-wing radicals are celebrating a historic victory and are clearly ahead of the power-spoiled ÖVP (26.5 percent) and the once again disappointing social democratic SPÖ. According to the preliminary final result, the Social Democrats are only in third place for the first time with 21.1 percent. The election result is a turning point for Austria in several respects. The ÖVP and the SPÖ have never been so weak at the same time.
The FPÖ’s significant gains are in line with the Europe-wide right-wing trend – and party colleagues immediately congratulated them. In addition to AfD leader Alice Weidel and Marine Le Pen from the right-wing French Rassemblement National, she also celebrated Geert Wilders from the right-wing radical Party for Freedom (PVV): “Congratulations FPÖ,” the Dutchman wrote on X. “We are winning! Times are changing itself!” He added: “Identity, sovereignty, freedom and no more illegal immigration/asylum – this is what millions of Europeans long for!”
According to election researchers’ findings, the FPÖ benefited enormously from the great discontent among the population. Austria is deep in an economic downturn and unemployment is growing. In addition, the Alpine republic has been one of the EU countries with particularly high inflation in recent years. In addition, the FPÖ’s strict anti-migration policy is considered popular.
According to the preliminary final result, the Greens got 8 percent (minus 5.9 percentage points), the liberal Neos got 9 percent. The Neos in particular positioned themselves as a force willing to reform during the election campaign and are hoping for a three-party coalition with the ÖVP and SPÖ. “We are ready. Without us nothing will change,” said Neos boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger. In total, almost 6.4 million citizens were called upon to elect a new parliament. Most recently, the country was governed by a coalition of the ÖVP and the Greens.
