Austria’s major political parties are gearing up for intense negotiations to form a government, following warnings about the state of the country’s democracy after a landmark victory for the far-right in the recent general election. Angry voters, frustrated by issues like immigration and inflation, punished centrist incumbents.
On Sunday, the anti-Islam and pro-Kremlin Freedom Party (FPÖ) achieved its best result since its post-World War II founding, with over 29% of the vote. This outcome exceeded expectations, beating the ruling center-right People’s Party (ÖVP) by nearly three percentage points. Meanwhile, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) suffered its worst performance ever, and the Greens, who were junior partners in the government, fell to just 8%.
Exit polls revealed that younger voters fueled the FPÖ’s rise, with 27% of Austrians under 34 and 37% of those aged 35 to 59 supporting the far-right party. The FPÖ benefited from anger over the cost of living, immigration concerns, and lingering resentment over Austria’s strict COVID-19 measures. However, the party was less popular with voters over 60, who favored the ÖVP and SPÖ.
Austria has long faced criticism for its lackluster acknowledgment of its Nazi history, with many seeing the country as the Nazis’ “first victim” despite its enthusiastic embrace of the Anschluss in 1938. In light of the election results, the International Auschwitz Committee expressed alarm, urging Austria’s democratic forces to resist both historical amnesia and far-right extremism. The Jewish Community of Vienna also voiced deep concern, warning that the FPÖ is not just another far-right party but one with direct links to the Nazi era.
Despite its victory, the FPÖ faces challenges in forming a government, as it did not win an outright majority. Smaller parties have ruled out working with the far right. The ÖVP, which has previously partnered with the FPÖ at national and regional levels, remains a potential ally but has drawn a red line against the possibility of a government led by FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, who has used Nazi-style rhetoric, taken a pro-Russian stance, and served as a controversial interior minister.
While Kickl celebrated the FPÖ’s win, he called on the ÖVP to reconsider their stance. Meanwhile, protesters in Vienna urged democratic parties to unite against the far-right, chanting “Nazis out” and “Never Kickl.”
Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen, who holds the authority to invite parties to form a government, encouraged politicians to safeguard the country’s democratic pillars. There is speculation that the ÖVP could form a broad alliance with the Social Democrats, Greens, or the liberal Neos party. However, political analysts warn that such a move could play into the FPÖ’s narrative of being the true anti-establishment party.
Vedran Džihić, an expert at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs, cautioned that a conservative-hard-right government would lead Austria down a path similar to Hungary under Viktor Orbán, characterized by increased illiberalism and instability. He also noted personal concern, having fled the Bosnian war in 1993, stating that FPÖ policies on “remigration” feel like a direct attack on people like him.
Nevertheless, Džihić remains hopeful, pointing out that 71% of voters still back democratic parties and reject the far-right agenda.
