Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen commissioned the mission to make the government to Herbert Kickl, the leader of the right-wing Austrian Liberal organization (FPOe). This event sparked a storm of comments in German media and sparked many controversy. The result of the September parliamentary elections pointed to expanding support for right-populist forces in Austria, which could be a informing to another European countries.
Election results: FPOe headed
Parliamentary elections in September 2024 brought a triumph to the Austrian Free organization (FPOe) which won 28.8% of the votes. The following places were placed:
- Austrian People's organization (OeVP) – 26.3%,
- Social Democratic organization of Austria (SPOe) – 21.1%,
- New Austria and the Liberal Forum (NEOS) – 9.2%,
- Greens (Gruene) - 8.3%.
The Parliament did not include the Communist organization of Austria (KPOe) and the Beer organization (Bierpartei), which received 2.4% and 2.0% of the vote respectively. Thus, they did not exceed the 4% electoral threshold.
Herbert Kickl: a controversial leader
Herbert Kickl, known for his harsh speeches and controversial views, became a symbol of the increasing political force of the FPOe. erstwhile Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the Austrian People's organization failed to keep the ruling coalition. Thus, the form of the future government will depend on the coalition talks conducted by Kickl.
German media warns against fresh quality nationalism
The election of Kickl as the leader of the government sparked a wave of criticism in German media. ‘Tageszeitung’ refers to the situation as “the nightmare in its full sense”. According to writer Simon Schmollack, Austria is moving towards a "new quality of nationalism", which should be a informing signal for Germany.
In turn ‘Tagespiegel’ warns against the influence of conflicts among democrats on the emergence in the popularity of populist right-wing parties. Christoph Ziedler stresses that the success of FPOe may be the consequence of the readiness of conventional conservatives to cooperate with right-wing groups.
Austria as a political laboratory of Europe
Comments from the German press, specified as those published in ‘Sueddeutsche Zeitung’, stress that Austria has long been a "political laboratory of processes". Verena Mayer suggests that Vienna reflects political changes that may shortly affect another European countries, including Germany.
Doubts about FPOe and Herbert Kickl
‘Die Welt’ recalls that the views of the FPOe, voiced by Herbert Kickl, coincide with the slogans of far-right formations. The anti-vaccinating, pro-Russian and anti-EU positions of the FPOe leader are worrying both in Austria and abroad. In addition, Western intelligence services express doubts about their cooperation with Austrian counterparts.
What does FPOe's success for Austria and Europe mean?
The mission to make the government to Herbert Kickl indicates further political polarisation in Austria. For many Europeans, this event is simply a informing showing how interior conflict in conventional democratic parties can lead to an increase in populist forces.
In the face of increasing tensions on the European political scene, it is worth asking ourselves whether Austria will become a pattern for another countries in the close future.
Continued here:
Appointment to Prime Minister in Austria as a fresh nightmare for EU ideology
