Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) has taken a historic lead in the country’s national elections, but it is likely to struggle to find partners to help it form a governing coalition.
The FPOe won 28.8 percent of the vote, pushing the ruling conservative People’s Party (OeVP) into second place with 26.3 percent, according to nearly complete results.
Although the FPOe has served in coalition governments before, this is the first time it has won a national referendum, and far-right parties across Europe have won.
However, all other parties in the country have ruled out forming a coalition with the eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPOe, which was founded in the 1950s under the leadership of a former Nazi lawmaker. Leader Herbert Kickle is also a provocative and polarizing figure, thoroughly disliked by other party leaders.
“Today we wrote history together…” the 55-year-old Gigl told supporters in Vienna. “We’ve opened the door to a new era.”
Like other far-right parties in Europe, the FPOe’s popularity has risen amid voter anger over issues such as migration, the state of the economy and restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is definitely an earthquake and sends shock waves through all the other parties,” political analyst Thomas Hofer told the AFP news agency.
‘Our hand is stretched out’
Kickle, who took over as party leader in 2021, said he was ready to form a government with “every party” in parliament.
“Our hand is stretched in all directions,” he said.
Among the FPOe supporters, the atmosphere was festive as supporters in traditional Austrian dress downed beer glasses.
“It’s a real win…it’s going to be a very exciting time” as the FPOe tries to form a government, said Eric Berglund, a staffer. The 35-year-old hailed Kiggle as a “very capable leader”.
Chancellor Karl Nehhammer, who has managed to close the gap on the FPOe in opinion polls in recent weeks, has admitted that he has failed.
“It was a race, and unfortunately, we didn’t manage it,” said Nehammer, 51, who vowed to “continue to fight for the people’s interests.”
Nehhammer could become chancellor by forming another party with the Social Democrats (SPOe) and possibly the liberal NEOS.
SPOe scored 21.1 percent, similar to their record-low 2019 results, while NEOS was at 9.2 percent.
A three-party coalition would be a first, but analysts say it could struggle to govern if the country shifts to the right.
A coalition between the far-right and conservatives – in power since 1987 – remains a possibility, analysts say.
The FPOe’s first government with conservatives in 2000 caused widespread protests and boycotts from Brussels.
A spectacular FPOe collapsed in 2019 after a two-and-a-half-year reign.
More than 6.3 million of Austria’s 9 million people are eligible to vote.
Nehhammer reiterated his refusal to work with Kigel, who called himself a future “Volkschanzler” as Adolf Hitler was called in the 1930s, a chancellor of the people.
Gigl continues to attack EU sanctions against Russia for its aggression in Ukraine.
Kathryn Steiner-Hammerle, professor of political science at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, said Austria’s role in the EU would be “significantly different” if Gigl were to become chancellor.
“Kigl has often said [Hungarian Prime Minister] Viktor Orban is a role model for him and he will stand by him,” he told Reuters news agency.
