VIENNA – In a landmark political reversal in Austria, the far-right Freedom Party FPO has emerged victorious in its first ever general election, early projections released Sunday indicated. The result is the latest illustration of the broad trend toward acceptance for hard-right parties across Europe, much of which is motivated by fears of immigration and by the economic strains.
The FPO, under the leadership of Herbert Kickl, 55, has led the electoral campaign advocating strict immigration controls, Euroscepticism. According to pollster Foresight data for ORF, it was likely to take round about 29.1% of the vote more than the ruling conservative Austrian People’s Party OVP recorded 26.2 % and the center-left Social Democrats 20.4%.
Another opinion poll by Arge Wahlen
Essentially reinforced the FPO’s lead, but at an even more significant margin than anyone had expected. In order to actually seize power, however, the FPO must actually enter into discussions over coalition possibilities with other parties, and this is hardly an easy task, given the polarization of Austrian politics.
Political commentators warn that an FPO-led government will fundamentally change Austria’s role in the European Union. Kickl has also spoken positively of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and has supported policies that criticize EU sanctions on Russia, arguing these hurt Austria more than they harm Moscow. It has sent shivers down the spines of FPO oppositionists, who see this as a further step toward democratic decay and isolationism in Austria.
Of course, opinions vary between Austrians.
Advocates for the FPO believe that the party will better the situation when it comes to matters of crime and immigration. Detractors, however fear that Austria is taking a step towards Orban’s Hungary governance where there has been reported authoritarian governance.
For his part, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, who appoints the government, has some healthy skepticism toward the FPO as the party’s controversial history and recent rhetoric fuel his skepticism. He even hinted that he might do the unthinkable and not invite the FPO to form a government, which has far from conventional norms.
A video appeared with members of the party singing at a funeral at which they sang a song often used by Nazi groups. The situation has brought forward a complaint by a Jewish students’ organisation that has taken on concerns surrounding the party, long made over its extremist connections.
The result of the election still remains ambiguous for FPO, with Kickl announcing readiness to sit down and talk to all parties to initiate coalition talks. The Austrian politics are in for a period of change as this election will go on affecting Austria and other parts of Europe at large.