Austria enters uncharted territory after far-right win

Published October 1, 2024
Herbert Kickl, leader and top candidate of right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) is celebrated by supporters as he arrives at the party’s election event after exit poll numbers were announced at the Stiegl-Ambulanz restaurant in Vienna, Austria on September 29, 2024, during Austria’s general election. — AFP
Herbert Kickl, leader and top candidate of right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) is celebrated by supporters as he arrives at the party’s election event after exit poll numbers were announced at the Stiegl-Ambulanz restaurant in Vienna, Austria on September 29, 2024, during Austria’s general election. — AFP

VIENNA: Austria entered uncharted territory on Monday after the far-right scored a historic national election win, with parties facing an uphill task to form a new government.

The far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) under Herbert Kickl has rapidly regained ground lost in a string of corruption scandals, winning 28.8 per cent in Sunday’s vote, according to near-complete results. The FPOe beat the ruling conservative People’s Party (OeVP) into second place on 26.3pc, and the left-wing Social Democrats (SPOe) into third on 21.1pc.

But so far all parties have refused to work with Kickl because of his radical proposals. “Winner — and what now?” said the daily Kurier’s main headline with a photo of Kickl giving a thumbs-up.

A vocal critic of the European Union and its sanctions against Russia for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Kickl’s abrasiveness has left him isolated among Austrian lawmakers. Uncertainty over what would happen next dominated Austria, as Kickl’s FPOe could end up being sidelined like some of its far-right allies in Europe.

“Times are changing,” Dutch far-right firebrand Geert Wilders wrote on X after Austria’s election results were announced, listing 11 European countries where nationalist parties were “winning”.

In neighbouring Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban hailed “another win for the #Patriots”. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen expressed “delight” at the “groundswell that carries the defence of national interests, the safeguarding of identities and the resurrection of sovereignties”.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2024

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.