Summary
- Freedom Party (FPO) seen beating conservatives
- Far-right figure could become chancellor if FPO win is confirmed
- Other parties have ruled out working with FPO leader Kickl
The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has claimed a historic win in Austria’s general election, marking a significant moment for right-wing politics in Europe.
Preliminary results suggest that the FPÖ, led by Herbert Kickl, secured 28.8% of the vote, placing it ahead of the ruling conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), which garnered 26.3%, and the center-left Social Democrats (SPÖ) with 21.1%. This victory reflects a broader surge in right-wing movements across the continent, driven by growing concerns over immigration and the economy.
For Austria, this election marks a pivotal turning point, as the FPÖ has never before led a parliamentary election in its seven-decade history. Established in the 1950s with its roots in postwar nationalist movements, the FPÖ has worked over the years to shed its extremist image. However, despite efforts to appeal to a broader base, the party’s provocative leader, Herbert Kickl, remains a divisive figure both domestically and across Europe.
Kickl’s success in leading his party to victory comes after months of opinion polls predicting a tight race with Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s ÖVP. The campaign was dominated by debates around immigration and economic worries, two themes that have also fueled right-wing parties in other parts of Europe, including France, the Netherlands, and Germany.
A Polarizing Figure
Herbert Kickl, a 55-year-old political veteran, has become synonymous with Austria’s far-right movement. Born in rural Carinthia, Kickl has built a reputation as a contrarian and a master of political messaging. Though he studied philosophy, history, communication, and political science at the University of Vienna, he never completed his degree. His rise within the FPÖ began in the mid-1990s, when he joined the party, inspired by the populist politics of Jörg Haider, another controversial figure in Austrian politics.
Kickl’s personal life is largely kept out of the public eye, but he is known for his love of extreme sports and hiking. His leadership style is similarly intense; he has a keen ability to tap into public discontent and channel it into political gains. His presence on social media, particularly on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, has helped him cultivate a youthful following, despite largely avoiding traditional debates and interviews.
Under Kickl’s leadership, the FPÖ has embraced anti-immigration rhetoric, promising to build a “Fortress Austria” to keep out migrants and refugees. The party’s manifesto includes proposals to end asylum applications entirely and introduce stringent controls on new arrivals. Kickl has also pledged to overhaul the country’s immigration system, proposing detention centers for migrants and advocating for the deportation of “unwanted strangers.”
Ties to Russia and Hungary
Kickl’s FPÖ has taken a markedly pro-Russian stance. Unlike many of its European counterparts, the party opposes sanctions against Russia and has been critical of the European Union’s support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war. Kickl has argued that the sanctions hurt Austria more than Moscow and has promised to veto any new EU sanctions against Russia if he becomes chancellor.
Kickl has also drawn inspiration from Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whom he has praised as a political role model. Like Orban, Kickl champions a hardline stance on immigration and advocates for what he terms “remigration,” or the deportation of migrants to their countries of origin. He has also promised to end Austrian support for Ukraine, a position that aligns with his vision of distancing Austria from the EU’s broader foreign policy.
These positions have made Kickl a deeply polarizing figure, not just in Austria but across Europe. His refusal to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and his alignment with Orban’s illiberal democratic model have raised concerns about Austria’s future role in the European Union. Political analyst Thomas Hofer remarked that Austria is now entering “uncharted territory,” with many uncertain about how a Kickl-led government might impact its relationship with Brussels and the rest of the EU.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the FPÖ’s electoral success, Kickl faces significant obstacles in forming a government. All of Austria’s major political parties, including the ÖVP and SPÖ, have ruled out forming a coalition with the FPÖ under Kickl’s leadership. This reluctance stems from Kickl’s hardline policies and his reputation as a right-wing extremist. Even ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer, whose party previously entered a coalition with the FPÖ, has stated that he would not work with Kickl.
Kickl’s polarizing rhetoric and controversial policies, particularly his ties to nationalist movements and his criticism of the EU, make it difficult for him to find willing coalition partners. The FPÖ’s hardline stance on immigration and its euroscepticism are viewed as significant barriers to cooperation with more moderate parties. Without a coalition, Kickl’s chances of becoming Austria’s chancellor remain slim. There is also the matter of the FPÖ’s recent controversies. Just days before the election, a video surfaced showing members of the party attending a funeral where a song popular with the Nazi SS was sung. This incident prompted a Jewish student group in Vienna to file a complaint against the FPÖ, accusing its members of breaching Austria’s anti-Nazi laws. While the party has long sought to distance itself from its far-right past, these incidents continue to raise questions about its ties to Austria’s dark history.
Impact on Europe
Regardless of whether Kickl becomes chancellor, his party’s electoral success will have far-reaching implications for Europe. Far-right parties across the continent, including Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France and Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom in the Netherlands, have hailed the FPÖ’s victory as a win for their movement. The rise of right-wing populism across Europe has already caused friction within the European Union, particularly on issues like immigration and the war in Ukraine.
Analysts predict that if Kickl does manage to form a government, Austria’s position in the EU will shift significantly. Kathrin Stainer-Haemmerle, a political science professor, noted that Austria’s alignment with Hungary under Kickl could lead to deeper divisions within the EU. Kickl’s pro-Russian stance, combined with his euroscepticism, would likely create new challenges for EU unity, particularly as the bloc grapples with the war in Ukraine and ongoing tensions with Russia.
In the weeks ahead, as coalition talks begin, Austria’s political future remains uncertain. For now, however, Herbert Kickl and the FPÖ have cemented their place as a dominant force in Austrian politics, reflecting a broader trend of far-right resurgence across Europe.
