Thu Sep 19 05:16:01 UTC 2024: ## Austria’s Election: Far-Right Party Could Lead Government for First Time Since WWII

**Vienna, Austria** – Austria will elect a new parliament on September 29th, with the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) poised to take the lead in forming a government for the first time in the country’s postwar history.

The FPO, led by Herbert Kickl, is projected to win between 27-29% of the vote, putting them ahead of the ruling conservative Austrian People’s Party (OVP). However, they are unlikely to secure a majority, necessitating a coalition partner.

**Key Concerns:**

Austrian voters are primarily concerned with high living costs and stricter immigration policies, issues amplified by recent events. The foiling of a planned attack on a Taylor Swift concert, involving teenage sons of immigrant families, has heightened security concerns. Widespread flooding this summer has also brought climate change to the forefront of the political agenda.

**FPO Platform:**

The FPO advocates for an “Austria First” agenda, promoting policies like “remigration” – the return of individuals to their families’ original countries, particularly for lawbreakers. They are critical of the European Union and have formed an alliance with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a figure known for his anti-immigration stance.

**Potential Coalitions:**

While other parties have vowed not to work with Kickl, an OVP-FPO coalition is considered the most likely outcome, as the OVP also finished behind the FPO in European elections earlier this year. Alternatively, the OVP could form a three-way coalition with the Social Democrats (SPO) and either the liberal NEOS or the Greens.

**Implications:**

An FPO-led government would represent a significant shift to the right for Austria. It could lead to stricter immigration policies, tax cuts, and a potential delay in the transition away from Russian gas dependence. A more centrist coalition, however, could accelerate the transition from Russian gas and prioritize environmental policies.

**Election Day:**

Polling stations will open from 6:45 a.m. (0445 GMT) to 5 p.m. (1500 GMT) on September 29th. Projections are expected shortly after closing, with a final result likely by the end of the day. The President, Alexander Van der Bellen, will then ask a party to form a government, a process that could take up to two months.

Read More