Austria’s Far-Right Freedom Party Wins Historic Election But Faces Struggle to Form Government

The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) led by Herbert Kickl in Austria achieved a significant victory in the parliamentary elections held in the country, becoming the first far-right party to win such an election since the Second World War. The FPÖ won its largest share of the vote ever, with 28.8 percent of the vote, ahead of Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) with 26.3 percent. However, despite this electoral success, the path to forming a government remains unclear for Kickl, as the majority of political parties refuse to work with the FPÖ due to its rigid views.

Kickl, one of the controversial figures in European politics, celebrated the FPÖ’s victory as a “new era” for Austria and promised to transform the party’s 29 percent vote share into political power. “Tomorrow will be a blue Monday,” Kickl told supporters, referring to the party’s color, “and then we’ll start turning this 29% into a political reality in this country.”

The FPÖ’s victory is part of a broader trend across Europe where far-right, anti-immigration and populist parties are gaining ground in countries such as the Netherlands, France and Germany. Despite these successes, far-right parties often have difficulty converting electoral victories into government power due to resistance from more moderate political groups. The situation in Austria is no different, as most of the mainstream parties in the country have already refused to form a coalition with the FPÖ.

ÖVP, which came in second place in the election, had previously formed a coalition with FPÖ. However, Chancellor Nehammer flatly refused to work with Kickl, citing the FPÖ leader’s embrace of conspiracy theories and controversial views. Nehammer reiterated his opposition to any cooperation with the far-right leader, saying, “You cannot govern a state sensitively and responsibly with him.”

This puts the FPÖ in a difficult situation. The party that gets the largest share of the votes will need a coalition partner to govern the country, as required by Austrian law. President Alexander Van der Bellen, who oversees the formation of governments, has called on all parties to join the talks, but the process is likely to be long and fraught with difficulties. Without a willing coalition partner, Kickl’s victory may ultimately be hollow.

Kickl has positioned himself as an anti-establishment figure and has drawn comparisons to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, with whom he shares many Eurosceptic and anti-immigrant policies. He has also gained notoriety for promoting conspiracy theories, including the approval of ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. Kickl’s opposition to sanctions against Russia and his support for withdrawing aid to Ukraine further alienated him from Austria’s political mainstream.

In the days following the election, Kickl offered to negotiate with all parties, trying to downplay concerns about his leadership style. But political analysts remain skeptical about his ability to form the alliances necessary to form a stable government. “The characterization of Kickl as a constant threat and the refusal of other parties to work with him risks strengthening his turf as an outsider,” said political analyst Thomas Hofer. “Kickl sees this merely as a confirmation of his anti-system narrative.”

FPÖ’s success was also reflected in Europe, where far-right parties gained momentum. However, as seen in countries such as France and the Netherlands, election victories do not always translate into power. In France, the far-right National Rally won the first round of elections in June but was blocked by moderate parties in the second round. Similarly, Dutch nationalist leader Geert Wilders could not form a government in the Netherlands despite winning the popular vote.

Kickl’s task is further complicated by internal divisions in Austria’s political environment. The ÖVP and centre-left Social Democrats (SPÖ) dominated the country’s post-war politics, and both parties expressed strong opposition to working with the FPÖ under Kickl’s leadership. There is speculation that the ÖVP may seek an alliance with the SPÖ, pushing the FPÖ aside despite its election victory.

Supporters of the FPÖ argue that the party’s “Austria First” policies, which emphasize curbing illegal immigration and stimulating the economy, resonate with a growing segment of the population. But critics fear the FPÖ’s rise could signal a shift towards a more authoritarian state, drawing comparisons with Orbán’s leadership in Hungary. Irene Rubik, a 69-year-old retired civil servant and Greens voter, expressed Austria’s concern that Hungary was at risk of “disorganisation”, a term used to describe the gradual erosion of democratic norms.

Uncertainty regarding the FPÖ’s ability to form a government has left Austria in political limbo. If Kickl cannot form a coalition, this could open the door to a potential alliance between the ÖVP and the SPÖ, both of which have dominated Austrian politics for decades. Such a coalition could stabilize the country, but would likely further fuel Kickl’s anti-establishment rhetoric and enhance his foreign image.