Austria: Far-right wins historic victory, Kickl declares "New Era"

Austria’s political scene has been dramatically reshaped as the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) claimed a historic electoral win, with leader Herbert Kickl proclaiming the start of a “new era.” Kickl celebrated as preliminary results showed the FPÖ garnering 28.8% of the vote, narrowly surpassing the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) at 26.3%.

Despite the milestone, the far-right fell short of a majority, signaling potentially fraught coalition negotiations ahead.

In his victory speech, Kickl praised Austrian voters for their “optimism, courage, and trust” in delivering a “piece of history.” However, forming a government will be a complex task, as Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s ÖVP has already ruled out partnering with Kickl’s party, citing concerns over Kickl’s embrace of conspiracy theories. Nehammer declared it “impossible to form a government with someone who adores conspiracy theories.”

The election, marked by a high turnout of 78%, was largely driven by concerns over migration, asylum policies, and Austria’s economy. FPÖ general secretary Michael Schnedlitz hailed the results, stating, “The men and women of Austria have made history today,” though the party has remained tight-lipped about their potential coalition-building strategy.

Kickl, who has aligned closely with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, vowed to transform Austria into a “Fortress” and restore security and prosperity. Yet his rhetoric, including aspirations to become the “Volkskanzler” (people’s chancellor), has stirred echoes of Austria’s dark past. The FPÖ, founded by former Nazis in the 1950s, faced fresh controversy days before the election when some of its candidates were filmed singing an SS song.

Despite the FPÖ’s gains, opposition remains fierce. The Social Democrats, Greens, and liberal Neos have all refused to cooperate with the far right, leaving a potential conservative-FPÖ coalition uncertain. While Kickl aims to lead, the prospect of becoming chancellor remains unclear, as Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen may hesitate to grant him the mandate.

As Austria’s political future hangs in the balance, Europe watches closely. Kickl’s win follows a wave of far-right electoral successes across the continent, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and Germany’s AfD, fueling a broader debate over nationalism and sovereignty in Europe.