Austria faces a crucial election on Sunday, with the far-right Freedom Party poised for a strong showing. Led by Herbert Kickl, the party has capitalized on voter concerns over immigration, inflation, and the ongoing Ukraine crisis. However, the Freedom Party's potential victory may hinge on securing a coalition partner.
Austria's upcoming election on Sunday has placed the far-right Freedom Party in contention for a potential victory, riding on a wave of voter frustration over immigration, inflation, and the war in Ukraine.
Rightward Shift in Austria: Freedom Party Poised for Potential Election Victory
Led by former interior minister and longtime campaign strategist Herbert Kickl, the Freedom Party has emerged as a formidable force, tapping into anxieties over the country's high inflation, the conflict in eastern Ukraine, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The party's electoral platform emphasizes border control, migration restrictions, and a more "homogeneous" nation.
Kickl has adopted a rhetoric described as "aggressive" and "deliberately provocative," according to Gernot Bauer, a journalist who co-published an investigative biography of the far-right leader. Bauer notes that under Kickl's leadership, the Freedom Party has shifted "even further to the right," aligning with the Identitarian Movement, a pan-European nationalist group.
Rightward Shift in Austria: Freedom Party Poised for Potential Election Victory
However, Kickl has rejected comparisons to Nazi Germany, despite using the term "Volkskanzler" or "chancellor of the people" in reference to Adolf Hitler. The Freedom Party's potential victory in Austria would mark a significant advance for the far-right in Europe, following recent gains in other countries such as Italy and France.
To achieve a governing majority, the Freedom Party would require a coalition partner. Recent polls have predicted a close race, with the Freedom Party polling at 27%, the conservative Austrian People's Party at 25%, and the center-left Social Democrats at 21%.
The popularity of Chancellor Karl Nehammer's People's Party, which currently leads a coalition government with the Greens, has declined since the 2019 election. The COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and rising inflation have eroded the party's support.
Nehammer, who has taken a hard line on immigration, has positioned himself as a "strong center" candidate, but his party's handling of the pandemic, including the introduction of a vaccine mandate, has drawn criticism from some voters.
The Social Democrats, led by Andreas Babler, have ruled out governing with the Freedom Party, labeling Kickl "a threat to democracy." Babler, who is also mayor of Traiskirchen, the town that houses Austria's largest refugee reception center, has pledged to maintain a polar opposite stance to Kickl.
The Freedom Party's rise has also been fueled by its anti-immigration rhetoric and its opposition to sanctions against Russia. The party has called for an end to Western military aid to Ukraine and wants Austria to bow out of the European Sky Shield Initiative, a missile defense project launched by Germany.
Should the Freedom Party secure a victory, it would likely need to form a coalition with the People's Party. However, Kickl has hinted that he may be willing to forgo a government position if he wins the election, potentially opening the door for the People's Party to lead a coalition with the Freedom Party as a junior partner.
The outcome of Austria's election will have significant implications for the country's political landscape and future policies. The rise of the Freedom Party reflects the growing influence of the far-right in Europe and highlights the challenges facing governments in addressing voter concerns over immigration, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical instability.
