Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) has topped the country’s national elections in a historic victory but is likely to struggle to find partners that would enable it to form a governing coalition.
The FPOe won 28.8 percent of votes, beating the ruling conservative People’s Party (OeVP) into second place at 26.3 percent, according to near-complete results.
While the FPOe has served in coalition governments before, it is the first time it has won a national vote, and comes as far-right parties across Europe have made gains.
All other parties in the country, however, have rejected forming a coalition with the Eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPOe, which was founded in the 1950s under the leadership of a former Nazi lawmaker. Leader Herbert Kickl is also a provocative and polarising figure, roundly disliked by other party leaders.
“We have written a piece of history together today…,” the 55-year-old Kickl told cheering supporters in Vienna. “We have opened a door to a new era.”
Like other far-right parties elsewhere in Europe, the FPOe’s popularity has surged amid voter anger over issues such as migration, the state of the economy and restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is certainly an earthquake and sends a shockwave through all the other parties,” political analyst Thomas Hofer told the AFP news agency.
Kickl, who took over the party’s leadership in 2021, said he was ready to form a government with “each and every one” of the parties in parliament.
“Our hand is outstretched in all directions,” he said.
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