Austria’s far-right Freedom Party is heading for an unprecedented general election victory after projections said it would pick up the largest vote share. The forecast, based on initial results, said Herbert Kickl’s party would win 29.1 per cent of the vote – three points ahead of the conservative People’s Party on 26 per cent, according to election researchers Arge Wahlen for PULS 24 TV.
The centre-left Social Democrats, meanwhile, were in third place with 20.4 per cent. The Freedom Party (FPÖ) would still need to enter into a coalition to form a majority in the lower house of parliament if it wishes to govern.
The People’s Party previously ruled out taking part in a government ruled by Mr Kickl after the FPÖ called for the “remigration of uninvited foreigners” and the suspension of the right to asylum. Incumbent Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the People’s Party, said during the election it’s “impossible to form a government with someone who adores conspiracy theories”. The issue of migration and asylum heavily dominated the election, as well as inflation and the war in Ukraine.
The FPÖ’s strong performance follows recent gains for the far-right elsewhere in Europe . 🇦🇹 #Austria , legislative election: Seat projection: ⏫FPÖ: 57 seats (+26) ⏬ÖVP: 52 (-19) ⏸️SPÖ: 40 🔼Neos: 17 (+2) ⏬Grüne: 17 (-9) (+/- Last election) ORF/APA/Foresight, #NRWahl2024 pic.twitter.
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