Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) secured its first national parliamentary election victory since World War II following an unprecedented election result on Sunday.
Led by Herbert Kickl, a sharp-tongued and polarizing figure, the FPO garnered 28.8% of the vote, edging out the conservative Austrian People’s Party (OVP) led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, which stood at 26.3%. The center-left Social Democrats (SPO) trailed behind with 21.1%.
Kickl’s party had been riding a wave of anti-immigration rhetoric and discontent with Austria’s handling of the economy, pushing his agenda to the forefront of public discourse. “We’ve made Austrian history,” Kickl said after the results were made public.
Across Europe, hard-right parties like FPO are making electoral gains, with Kickl’s victory following a similar trajectory seen in the Netherlands, France, and Germany. These parties share a common skepticism towards the European Union and military support for Ukraine. In Austria, Kickl has aligned himself with Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, advocating for a rollback of sanctions on Russia and expressing open disdain for EU directives, positioning himself as an antagonist to the “elites in Brussels.”
But Kickl’s path to the chancellorship remains arduous. Rivals across the political spectrum have refused to entertain a coalition with him, leaving the FPO without an obvious path to forming a government. Nehammer, who narrowly missed reclaiming the lead for his party, stated bluntly that “what I said before the election, I also say after the election,” reiterating his refusal to partner with Kickl.
Political analysts suggest that even though the FPO has come out on top, the fragmented nature of Austrian politics could lead to a coalition between the OVP and the SPO, the two parties that ruled Austria together for much of the post-war period. Yet this option is far from certain. The ideological chasm between these parties has grown deeper in recent years, especially as the SPO’s leader, Andreas Babler, has positioned himself as the direct opposite to Kickl, labeling him “a threat to democracy.”
Kickl’s victory underscores broader trends of growing dissatisfaction across Europe, driven by rising inflation, energy costs, and anxiety over migration. His party’s campaign, with its promises of a “Fortress Austria,” capitalized on these fears, advocating for the suspension of asylum rights and stricter border controls to ensure a more “homogeneous” nation. This nationalistic rhetoric, paired with Kickl’s opposition to aid for Ukraine, plays well with a voter base that feels left behind by mainstream politics. As one voter, Marcel Sztrelko, put it, “Some of these people are given everything they want and need, and they take advantage of it.”
Kickl’s foreign policy positions also present a potential diplomatic headache for Austria. He has repeatedly called for the end of sanctions on Russia, arguing that they harm Austria more than they pressure Moscow – a view he apparently shares with U.S. former president Donald Trump. His alignment with Orbán adds further complexity to Austria’s relationship with the European Union, especially in light of Vienna’s traditionally cautious but firm support for Ukraine.
Sunday night saw protests outside the Freedom Party’s victory celebrations in Vienna, with demonstrators holding signs branding Kickl a Nazi. Founded in the 1950s by a former Nazi lawmaker, the FPO has long faced criticism for its far-right roots, though Kickl has worked to soften its image over the years. Just days before the election, a video surfaced showing FPO members at a funeral where a song popular with the Nazi SS was sung, sparking fresh outrage.
Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders and Alice Weidel of Germany’s Alternative for Germany party were quick to offer congratulations, celebrating the victory as another step in their shared vision for Europe. But while these leaders cheer on Kickl’s success, others are wary of the divisions it could deepen within the European Union, particularly on issues like defense, migration, and sanctions against Russia.
