Austria’s populist Freedom Party (FPO) has achieved its highest share of the national election vote, surpassing Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s governing conservative People’s Party (OVP). On September 29, the FPO secured 29.2 percent of the vote, while the OVP received 26.3 percent and the center-left Social Democrats came in third with 21 percent. The Greens, who currently govern with the OVP, saw a decline to 8.3 percent.
FPO party leader Herbert Kickl expressed disappointment after other party leaders dismissed his call to form a coalition. However, in order to become Austria’s new leader, Kickl will need a coalition partner to have a parliamentary majority.
Due to Austria’s coalition-based electoral system and no party crossing the 50 percent mark, it will be challenging for the FPO to form a government on its own.
Kickl addressed his supporters on September 29 stating that there would be a “blue Monday,” referring to his party’s color, and emphasized their commitment to turning their electoral success into political reality.
The FPO’s rise in popularity aligns with recent gains made by parties advocating hardline immigration policies across Europe such as Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party in the Netherlands, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France, and Germany’s AfD.
Founded in 1956 by Anton Reinthaller—a former SS officer and member of the Reichstag—the FPO aims for strict criteria enforcement on legal immigration while advocating for removing immigrants who entered Austria illegally. Their campaign slogan “Fortress Austria” promotes policies like “remigration,” which involves returning immigrants to their place of origin.
Immigration concerns have resonated with voters following recent events such as authorities arresting two individuals suspected of planning an ISIS terrorist attack at one of Taylor Swift’s concerts in Vienna.
According to official statistics from last year, over a quarter of Austria’s population has an immigrant background. The largest immigrant groups include Germans (225k), Romanians (147.5k), Serbians (121.9k), and Turks (119.7k).
The Freedom Party also opposes EU legislation aimed at creating a unified asylum system across member states and calls for stricter checks on naturalized Austrians’ citizenship status.
Kickl and the FPO are against sanctions imposed on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine as they believe it violates Austria’s neutrality policy.
Reuters reported that Kickl’s opposition towards coronavirus restrictions like lockdowns and vaccine mandates played a role in reviving his party’s fortunes during this election cycle.
