VIENNA, Sept 29 (Askume) – Austrian voters gave the far-right Freedom Party victory in their first-ever general election on Sunday , with preliminary results showing support for Europe’s far-right parties is rising amid concerns over immigration levels.
For months, the Eurosceptic, Russia-friendly Freedom Party has held a slight lead in opinion polls over Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s ruling conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), which has campaigned largely on immigration and economic concerns.
The Freedom Party, led by 55-year-old Herbert Kickel, won 28.8% of the vote, while the ÖVP got 26.3% and the center-left Social Democrats (SPÖ) got 21.1%. The estimate is based on almost all surveys conducted by pollster Foresight for broadcaster ORF. This estimate is slightly larger than the gap reported in the previous survey.
“We have made history in Austria because this is the first time the Freedom Party has come first in a parliamentary election and you have to think how far we have come,” Kickel said after the party’s record performance, which was founded in the 1950s under the leadership of a former Nazi lawmaker and collapsed seven years later.
The party is trying to free up its image and broaden its appeal, but Kickel remains a provocative and polarizing figure, and other party leaders dislike him and reject the idea of forming a coalition with him .
If Kicker fails to convince another party to form a coalition with him, the Liberals’ hopes of forming a government could be dashed, opening the way for a coalition of moderate parties.
Only the ÖVP said it could cooperate with the FPÖ but refused to cooperate with Kizil, who gave no indication of his intention to resign and hand over power to others.
Seat projections show that the ÖVP and SPÖ, which have governed Austria for decades, could win a majority without a third party, which has long seemed impossible.
Kicker’s victory was welcomed by far-right parties across Europe , which have made gains in countries including the Netherlands, France and Germany. This growing supportThis could increase the risk of divisions within the EU on key policy areas, such as the defence of Ukraine against Russia .
Analysts say Austria is now in uncharted territory as to whether Kickel will serve as chancellor.
“This is definitely an important moment,” political analyst Thomas Hofer said of Austria’s postwar history. “It was a turning point in the second republic.”
Kathrin Steiner-Hemmeler, a professor of political science at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, said Austria’s role in the EU would be “quite different” if Kickel succeeded in becoming chancellor.
“Kiker has often said that (Hungarian Prime Minister) Viktor Orban is his idol and that he would support him.”
Kicker, who formed a coalition with Orban this year, opposes aid to Ukraine and wants sanctions on Russia lifted, arguing it would hurt Austria more than Moscow.
“Austrian Fortress”
Kickl said on Sunday he was ready to talk to all parties to form a coalition and President Alexander Van der Bellen, responsible for forming a government, called on all parties to find common ground in talks in the coming weeks.
Former Green Party leader Van der Bellen expressed reservations about the Liberal Party due to its criticism of the European Union and failure to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Dozens of anti-FPÖ protesters, one carrying a sign that read “Kicker is a Nazi,” gathered outside the party’s election ceremony on Sunday night but were dispersed by police.
The Islamist critic FPÖ wants to ban asylum altogether and create a “fortress-like Austria” that would prevent immigrants from entering.
“Some of these people get everything they want and need and they take advantage of it,” said Marcel Strelko, a 44-year-old warehouse worker who voted for the FPO because he believed Austria was integrating refugees and doing better.
The party faced fresh controversy over its past over the weekend when the Standard published a video showing members at a funeral singing a popular song of the Nazi SS.
A Jewish student group in Vienna filed a complaint against FPÖ members, accusing them of violating Nazi anti-Semitism laws.
