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| Winning does not guarantee that Herbert Kickl's Freedom Party can easily form a government. |
Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has heralded a new era following an unprecedented election victory, leader Herbert Kickl announced to supporters.
The FPÖ secured 28.9% of the vote, according to official results, placing it ahead of the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), which garnered 26.3%. However, the party still falls short of a majority.
Kickl's win adds to a series of far-right electoral successes across Europe, and he thanked voters for their "optimism, courage, and trust" in creating a "piece of history."
While the FPÖ has participated in coalitions before, the second-place ÖVP has declined to join a government under Kickl's leadership.
Kickl's main opponent, incumbent Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the ÖVP, stated that it was “impossible to form a government with someone who embraces conspiracy theories.”
Voter turnout reached 77.3% as Austrians participated in an election focused on migration, asylum, a struggling economy, and the war in Ukraine.
As much of Austria turned dark blue on the election map, FPÖ general secretary Michael Schnedlitz declared, "The men and women of Austria have made history today," although he did not specify what type of coalition his party would pursue.
While postal votes were still being counted on Monday morning, analyses indicated that voters aged 35 to 59 were most likely to support the far-right party, with a slightly higher proportion of women backing them compared to men.
Austrian Election Results – September 29, 2024
According to government projections, Herbert Kickl's Freedom Party has secured 57 seats in the 183-seat parliament. The Conservative Party follows with 51 seats, while the Social Democrats hold 41.
While most votes have been counted, the final official results will be declared on Thursday.
Kickl, the controversial leader of the Freedom Party (FPÖ), has pledged to create a "Fortress Austria" aimed at restoring security, prosperity, and peace. His platform includes stringent rules on legal immigration and the concept of remigration, which entails sending asylum seekers back to their countries of origin. Additionally, the party seeks to eliminate the right to asylum as a pathway to citizenship.
Aligning himself closely with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his model of "illiberal democracy," Kickl has drawn criticism. Social Democrat leader Andreas Babler cautioned against Austria following Hungary's lead.
Kickl’s reference to becoming "Volkskanzler" (people's chancellor) has sparked concern, as it echoes a term historically associated with Adolf Hitler. The FPÖ, founded by former Nazis in the 1950s, has faced scrutiny following reports of candidates caught on video at a funeral where an SS song was sung just days before the election.
As news of the FPÖ's victory emerged, a small group of protesters gathered outside parliament, wielding anti-Nazi banners. Messages included "Nazis, get out of parliament" and "Don't let Nazis govern, and never let them march."
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| Protesters holding anti-Nazi banners gathered outside the parliament in Vienna. |
Forming a coalition will likely be a complex challenge for Herbert Kickl, given his divisive reputation. The Social Democrats, Greens, and Neos have all ruled out partnering with the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ).
The most viable option for Kickl's party would be to team up with the Conservatives (ÖVP). However, this would require resolving the ÖVP's reluctance to accept Kickl as chancellor. In a similar situation, Geert Wilders of the Netherlands' Freedom Party opted to step back from his bid for prime minister to facilitate coalition negotiations with other parties. Kickl, however, is eager to lead, vowing to act as Austria's "servant and protector."
Political analyst Thomas Hofer indicated to the BBC that it remains uncertain whether Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen would grant Kickl a direct mandate to form a coalition.
In theory, the ÖVP could assemble a coalition with the Social Democrats, possibly including the liberal Neos or the Greens. Conversely, Karl Nehammer, the leader of the ÖVP, may face internal pressure to reconsider his stance on Kickl. Following the FPÖ's significant electoral success, one leading FPÖ member suggested that Nehammer should resign, although this was dismissed by the general secretary of the ÖVP.
Current Chancellor Karl Nehammer (L) has stated unequivocally that he will not participate in a coalition led by Herbert Kickl.
President Van der Bellen has previously expressed concerns about the Freedom Party (FPÖ) due to its criticism of the EU and its failure to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The FPÖ opposes EU sanctions on Moscow, citing Austria's neutrality, and many of its MPs walked out during a speech by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vienna last year.
Following the election results, Austrians displayed mixed feelings. Nikolai Selikovsky, a Vienna resident who predominantly voted for the Social Democrats, lamented, "I find it really sad that people get so close to radical right-wing ideas and ignore history. It also shows the failure of the other parties to engage in constructive dialogue."
Karin Grobert, a commuter, voiced her worries, asking, "What did we do wrong in the past 75 years?" She expressed concern that Austria could shift further to the right if coalition talks falter.
Conversely, Josef Binder, a 57-year-old carpenter who voted for the FPÖ, argued that other parties should be willing to cooperate with Kickl. "They need to realize that negating 29% of voters is undemocratic," he said.
Some citizens expressed fears about the FPÖ's remigration policy. Berat Oeztoprak, a 22-year-old kebab seller in Vienna, said, "What I fear is that many will no longer be allowed to stay here." He emphasized his Austrian identity, noting, "I was born in Austria, I served in the army, and I pay my taxes."
Kickl's victory continues a trend of right-wing successes across Europe. Italy’s Giorgia Meloni leads a right-wing coalition, Germany's AfD recently topped polls in Thuringia, and France's National Rally won European elections in June. Unlike Kickl, Meloni has openly supported the EU's defense of Ukraine.
Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, congratulated Kickl, sharing a photo of the two together, while Marine Le Pen of the National Rally remarked on the "groundswell carrying the defense of national interests" across Europe.
Geert Wilders noted that "times are changing," emphasizing that millions of Europeans are longing for "identity, sovereignty, freedom, and no more illegal immigration/asylum."
Kickl has capitalized on fears surrounding immigration and dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, even embracing conspiracy theories about the virus. His recent electoral success marks a notable recovery from 2019, when the FPÖ placed third following a scandal that implicated their former leader.
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