Austria's Far Right Seizes Historic Victory Amidst Political Turmoil

[Social Media]

 

Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has ushered in what its leader, Herbert Kickl, described as a "new era" following a landmark electoral win. The FPÖ secured 29.2% of the vote, surpassing the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), which garnered 26.5%, according to provisional results. Despite this triumph, the FPÖ remains well short of an outright majority, leaving the formation of a governing coalition uncertain.

 

 

Kickl's victory marks another chapter in the rising tide of far-right successes across Europe. In his victory speech, Kickl praised the electorate for their "optimism, courage and trust," stating that they had contributed to a "piece of history." However, forming a government remains complicated. While the FPÖ has previously governed in coalition, the ÖVP, led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, has refused to cooperate with Kickl. Nehammer has openly stated that it is “impossible to form a government with someone who adores conspiracy theories.”

 

 

A high voter turnout of 74.9% reflected the intense public interest in an election shaped by concerns over migration, asylum, a struggling economy, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. As results rolled in and parts of Austria turned dark blue, representing FPÖ's victory, party general secretary Michael Schnedlitz declared, "The men and women of Austria have made history today." He remained cautious, however, not disclosing the party’s strategy for forming a coalition.

The demographic breakdown of voters showed that those between 35 and 59 years of age were most inclined to support the far-right, with a slight tilt toward women. The FPÖ has claimed 58 seats in Austria's 183-seat parliament, while the ÖVP secured 52 seats, and the Social Democrats won 41.

 

Kickl, a fiery figure in Austrian politics, campaigned on promises to build "Fortress Austria," restoring what he described as the nation's lost security, prosperity, and peace. His vision aligns closely with that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, raising concerns about Austria's potential political trajectory. Andreas Babler, the leader of the Social Democrats, warned that Austria must avoid following the path of Hungary, where Orban's nationalist policies have raised alarms in Europe.

 

Kickl has also expressed aspirations to become Austria’s "Volkskanzler" (people's chancellor), a term that some Austrians associate with Adolf Hitler from Nazi Germany. Founded by former Nazis in the 1950s, the FPÖ has a controversial history. Just days before the election, several of the party's candidates were filmed singing an SS song at a funeral, a reminder of the party’s historical roots. The electoral victory also prompted small protests outside Austria’s parliament, where demonstrators carried anti-Nazi banners.

 

Forming a coalition government is expected to be a challenge for Kickl. While the Social Democrats, Greens, and Neos have ruled out any alliance with the far-right, the FPÖ's only viable coalition partner could be the conservatives. However, ÖVP’s leadership has made it clear that they do not support Kickl’s bid for chancellor. Political analyst Thomas Hofer suggested that it remains unclear whether Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen would even grant Kickl a mandate to form a government.

 

There are rumors that Nehammer might face pressure from within his own party to drop his opposition to Kickl, especially after such a significant electoral defeat. A senior figure in the FPÖ even suggested that Nehammer should resign, though that notion was rejected by the general secretary of the ÖVP. President Van der Bellen has previously expressed reservations about the FPÖ due to its critical stance on the EU and its refusal to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

 

Many FPÖ MPs walked out of a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vienna last year, and the party opposes EU sanctions against Moscow, citing Austria's neutrality.

 

Kickl’s victory is the latest in a series of successes for far-right parties across Europe. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni now leads a right-wing coalition, while Germany’s AfD recently topped polls in Thuringia, and France’s National Rally won the European elections last June. However, unlike Kickl, Meloni has backed the EU's defense of Ukraine.

 

The European far-right movement continues to gain momentum, with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel congratulating Kickl, and Marine Le Pen of France’s National Rally hailing the results as a sign of the "people's triumphs everywhere." Geert Wilders, who leads the far-right Freedom Party in the Netherlands, echoed these sentiments, stating that "identity, sovereignty, freedom and no more illegal immigration/asylum" are now key issues for millions of Europeans.

 

For Kickl, Sunday's win represents a comeback from 2019, when the FPÖ fell to third place following a video sting scandal involving its former leader. As he now seeks to lead Austria, the political landscape remains fractured, with coalition negotiations likely to dominate the coming weeks.

 

Based on a report from: BBC 2024-10-01

 

 

 

[Chelseafan]

If the EU doesn't get a grip on immigration quickly then the far-right parties are only going to gain momentum.

 

[Bday Prang]

8 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

If the EU doesn't get a grip on immigration quickly then the far-right parties are only going to gain momentum.

 

"far right"  

[jippytum]

People in many countries are leaning to the Right to vote  against uncontrolled immigration and Muslim domination in many cities

[JonnyF]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

The European far-right movement continues to gain momentum, with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel congratulating Kickl, and Marine Le Pen of France’s National Rally hailing the results as a sign of the "people's triumphs everywhere." Geert Wilders, who leads the far-right Freedom Party in the Netherlands, echoed these sentiments, stating that "identity, sovereignty, freedom and no more illegal immigration/asylum" are now key issues for millions of Europeans.

 

Could the article mention "far right" any more times I wonder? 😆

 

The BBC are getting desperate when Europe starts rejecting left wing loony policies that are ripping up the fabric of many European cities. All they can do is label those who fail to go along with their ideology as "far right". Pathetic.  

 

Good to see Democracy prevail over the EU's undemocratic, failing Federalist left wing project. 

[Chomper Higgot]

Far right wing Austrians, what could go wrong?!

[RayC]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

Could the article mention "far right" any more times I wonder? 😆

 

The BBC are getting desperate when Europe starts rejecting left wing loony policies that are ripping up the fabric of many European cities. All they can do is label those who fail to go along with their ideology as "far right". Pathetic.  

 

Good to see Democracy prevail over the EU's undemocratic, failing Federalist left wing project. 

 

I guess that you don't see the irony in complaining about the BBC's use of the term 'far-right', while at the same time, labelling anyone who is not a supporter of FPO, AfD, National Rally, Fidesz, etc as being left-wing😂

 

How did " ... democracy prevail over the EU's undemocratic, failing Federalist left wing project"? The EU were fully supportive of this national election as they are of those in all member states.

[Bday Prang]

3 hours ago, jippytum said:

People in many countries are leaning to the Right to vote  against uncontrolled immigration and Muslim domination in many cities

            Even people who consider themselves left wing are concerned about it, its actually not a leftie requirement to be in favour of a failed immigration policy or the slow but sure destruction of one's own culture   I am sure there are many left wingers who are more than a little concerned .  whether they choose to admit it publicly is a different matter But, at the end of the day only a fool would be blase about such a worrying matter

              So  who can these concerned people vote for,?  The two mainstream political parties have effectively flicked two fingers at the electorate, for reasons known only to themselves, they have decided that regardless of the views of the majority of people  immigration is what we are going to get, Both labour and conservative avoid discussing the matter both preferring to condescendingly  remind us of the (alleged) monumental benefits of immigration, And if anybody dares to push the issue further they are labelled "far right"  and of course "racist" and that is, as intended,  the end of the debate

                How and why  has this situation arisen. One would expect that between them,  the two mainstream parties would address the concerns of the majority of the electorate, So as a simple example if one was in favour of better public services and prepared to pay a higher rate of tax , the Labour party had a policy that  was the one for you.  If one was prepared to forego some services and preferred to pay less tax the conservatives would be offering something to tempt you. They all  know full well what people want and they present themselves and their policies to appeal to one side of the other, or at least they used to

                 But when it comes to immigration they both refuse to indulge the vast majority of the electorate who are now getting a bit angry about it all,  Why, ?    The only reason I can think of is fear, fear of upsetting people and losing votes, That fear is totally ridiculous, as the majority of the Uk population want this mess sorting out, a robust immigration policy would see the ratings of either party skyrocket. The only people who would get upset, are the tiny minority of  very vocal  woke idiots. So basically both the mainstream parties  are allowing themselves and the rest of us to be dictated to and have our lives blighted, due to a  fear of upsetting a tiny minority of  permanently whinging perpetually offended bed wetting nutters , there isn't enough of them to be worried about in terms of their  voting power

          Come the next election , if neither of them have sorted this out ,  and make no mistake they both could if they really wanted to , then I predict a lot of voters ditching both  the mainstream parties,  and voting  reform. Which would not be a bad thing at all

              

[siftasam]

Great!

 

Can we resurrect Kurt Waldheim please? After all, good Nazis never die, do they? He could hopefully resume his duties as Austrian president (1982-86) and UN secretary-general (1972-81)

 

As Oberleutnant  ADC to General Lohr (executed as a war criminal) he said that he knew nothing about about prisoners being routinely shot within a few hundred metres of his office nor did he know anything about the murder of civilians at the Jasenovac concentration camp in Yugoslavia only 35 kms away.

 

So, let's see a return to the 'good old days', huh?