Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) Wins Parliamentary Elections

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Written by Patrick Poppel, expert at the Center for Geostrategic Studies in Belgrade

On Sunday there was a historic event in Austria. The Freedom Party (FPÖ) received the most votes in the parliamentary elections, although the system had mobilized everything to prevent this success.

The country has voted, but that does not mean a new government. The old Black-Green coalition will offer its resignation, Austria’s Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will accept the resignation. At the same time, the Federal President will ask the current Chancellor Karl Nehammer to continue business with his old government until a new chancellor majority has been found in the National Council, the Austrian parliament. This can take a very long time, the Austrian record for this is around six months.

For the first time in the history of this republic, the right-wing FPÖ is the strongest party in the Austrian parliament, just shy of 30 percent, after a big gain of 13 percentage points. In addition, well ahead of the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), which only achieved 26.5 percent.

The voter has spoken a “word of power,” says FPÖ chairman Herbert Kickl. He is extending his hand, is ready to govern, and let the talks begin. Herbert Kickl’s problem is that no one wants to take his outstretched hand. Nobody from the other parties wants to work with him. For all parliamentary parties one thing is clear: not with Kickl, not even with his FPÖ.

The smallest possibility would be that the chairman of the FPÖ renounces his role as head of government, then there could be a coalition with the ÖVP, or so it is said in the background. It was expected that the FPÖ would achieve this victory, but now Austria is in shock and can hardly realize it.

Although one in three Austrians voted for this party, the other parties are determined to prevent a government with the participation of the FPÖ. Even before the election there was talk of a “common wall” against this right-wing party.

The Federal President, who claims that he is neutral, has also repeatedly made negative comments against the FPÖ. It is also suspected that the Federal President would not allow a government with the participation of the Freedom Party.

Of course, the question arises here as to whether such behavior still corresponds to the basic idea of ​​democracy. In reality, the Freedom Party’s victory was only possible because the government made too many mistakes and the other parties hardly had any solutions to the problems.

With the victory of the right-wing forces in Austria, we can clearly see the trend in European politics. This victory is proof that the centrist forces have too little to offer voters and that these people are now marching to the right.

In contrast to the elections in East Germany, the left in Austria does not play a special role at the level of the national parliament. The Austrian Communist Party will not be able to be represented in the national parliament, although it is represented in the regional parliaments in some federal states and even governs the second largest city.

One can say that this election is not only a choice between right and left but also a choice between conservative and liberal. This election was crucial for political developments within the European Union. Now, in addition to Hungary, there is also a strong critical movement in Austria against totalitarian politics from Brussels.

Even if the FPÖ does not come into government, the party has the opportunity to do a good job in parliament. In addition, this party will now continue to advance. The party can now continue to build up its structures and will also have good opportunities in the regional elections.

But the most important thing is the effect on European politics. This election has shown us that a party also has a chance of coming to first place, even though all the structures of the system are mobilizing all possibilities against this political force.

This fact will give many political forces in Europe great courage to continue the political struggle. The small country of Austria sent an important signal to all countries in Europe by this election. Continuous efforts in politics can still mobilize voters even at a time when the system’s media is omnipotent.

Even scandals in the FPÖ’s past and divisions in the party did not manage to prevent this victory. In the long term, this party will play an important role in future politics in Austria. And other patriotic parties in Europe can also have this future.