Austrian Elections Tighten as Far-Right Party Aims for Historic Win

Post by : Elena Malik

Photo : Reuters

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has expressed deep concerns regarding the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), particularly highlighting its critical stance on the European Union and its reluctance to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. As Austrians prepare to head to the polls this Sunday for a closely contested parliamentary election, the FPO is striving for a historic first victory in a tight race against the ruling conservative Austrian People’s Party (OVP).

The political landscape leading up to the election has been heavily influenced by issues surrounding the economy and immigration. After several months of leading in the opinion polls, the FPO's advantage over Chancellor Karl Nehammer's OVP has diminished. Nehammer has taken a steady approach, portraying himself as a reliable leader while painting his main rival, FPO leader Herbert Kickl, as a polarizing and dangerous figure.

Political science professor Kathrin Stainer-Haemmerle remarked on the significance of this election, stating, “What’s at stake is whether the FPO will appoint the chancellor or not.” Should the far-right party win, it could bring about considerable shifts in Austria’s relationship with the European Union, as Kickl has voiced admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and has consistently criticized the EU.

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

Amid these developments, President Van der Bellen has indicated his reservations regarding the FPO, hinting that despite the tradition of inviting the first-placed party to form a government, he might not extend that invitation to Kickl.

While both the OVP and FPO support tougher immigration regulations, Nehammer has ruled out forming a coalition with Kickl as the far-right party's leader. In a recent statement, Kickl remarked, “Ideally I would vanish into thin air for you but I won’t do you that favour, Mr. Nehammer,” when questioned about stepping aside to facilitate his party joining the government as a junior partner.

Kickl has pledged to halt asylum claims entirely and create a “fortress Austria” to prevent migrants from entering the country, although such measures are widely viewed as impractical or illegal. He has also criticized sanctions against Moscow, arguing that they inflict more harm on Austria than on Russia.

Nehammer, who has been leading a coalition government with the Greens since 2021, has positioned himself as a stabilizing force, particularly in response to recent severe flooding in Austria, which may have helped him gain ground as the election approaches.

Local Green Party supporter Susanne Pinter voiced her concerns, stating, “If the FPO wins … it’ll have bad consequences for women, people of migrant origin, and climate change.” As the election nears, the political tension surrounding these issues continues to intensify, setting the stage for a significant decision by the Austrian electorate.