Far-Right FPO Wins Austrian Election, Falls Short of Governing Majority
Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) has won in the recent national elections, securing 28.8% of the vote. This result, while substantial, falls short of the majority needed to govern independently, setting the stage for complex coalition negotiations in the coming weeks.
The conservative Austrian People’s Party (OVP), currently in power, finished second with 26.3% of the votes, while the center-left Social Democrats (SPO) trailed at 21.1%. With no party achieving an outright majority, the formation of Austria’s next government hinges on successful coalition talks.
Attention now turns to the OVP, led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, as a potential kingmaker. Despite previous reluctance to partner with the FPO, political analysts suggest that an OVP-FPO coalition remains a viable option.
This scenario could mirror recent developments in the Netherlands, where center-right parties agreed to form a government with the far-right Party for Freedom, albeit without its controversial leader at the helm.
Should such a coalition materialize in Austria, it would likely see an OVP chancellor leading the government, with key ministerial positions allocated to the FPO. This arrangement could appease both parties while sidelining FPO leader Herbert Kickl from the top post.
The potential partnership, however, faces several hurdles. While both parties align on issues like stricter immigration policies and tax cuts, they diverge significantly on matters such as EU relations, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The FPO’s success adds to a growing trend of far-right victories across Europe, potentially influencing the continent’s political landscape. The outcome of these talks could have far-reaching implications for Austria’s stance on key European issues, including migration, EU integration, and support for Ukraine.
President Alexander Van der Bellen told the press on Sunday that he will hold talks with all parties represented in parliament in the coming week. “Now it’s a matter of approaching each other, finding solutions and compromises,” he said. “This may take time, but it is time well spent.”
Austria’s constitutional process requires the current federal government to submit its resignation to the president within a week of the election results.
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