Far-Right Freedom Party Wins Austria’s Elections

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

VIENNA/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The Freedom Party (FPÖ), known for its anti-migration and far-right views, has won the parliamentary election in Austria, beating the center-right conservatives for the first time, projections showed.

Analysts said it was due to use the country’s outsized influence emanating from the alpine nation’s place at the crossroads of Europe to steer the continent toward tighter borders and more inward-looking policies.

The FPÖ’s strong showing has been linked to rising anti-immigrant sentiments, post-pandemic anger, inflation, and fears around the war in Ukraine.

FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz said, “The men and women of Austria have made history today.”

He refused to say what kind of coalition his party would try to build.

However, analysts doubted that FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl could become Austria’s next chancellor as the second-placed conservative People’s Party has refused to participate in a government led by him.

AHEAD OF CONSERVATIVES

Projections based on almost complete results gave Kickl’s party 28.8 percent of the vote, more than two points ahead of the conservative People’s Party on 26.3 percent.

Yet the FPÖ fell short of a majority following the vote, which some 6.3 million people were eligible to vote in.

They are on course to secure about 56 seats in the 183-seat parliament, with the Conservatives on 52 and the Social Democrats on 41

Kickl’s victory is only the latest in a string of far-right election successes in Europe He praised voters for their “optimism, courage, and trust.”

His main rival, incumbent Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the People Party (ÖVP), said it’s “impossible to form a government with someone who adores conspiracy theories”

The elections are closely watched in other nations, including in neighboring Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is trying to win votes on an anti-migration platform.

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