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Austria’s Struggle: Forming a Government Without the Far-Right

In late September, Austria, a small landlocked country in Central Europe, suddenly captured international media interest. The Freedom Party (FPÖ), often classified as right-wing populist and even far-right, won the parliamentary elections and theoretically stood a chance of gaining the position of chancellor for the first time. However, given the results of other parties, forming a new government is as complex as solving a Rubik’s Cube.

Austria’s recent election has brought unexpected changes to its political landscape. The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) emerged victorious with its best-ever result of 28.8%, while the traditionally dominant People’s Party (ÖVP) and Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) suffered significant losses. The liberal NEOS and Green Party also experienced shifts, with the Greens particularly losing voter confidence after their coalition with the ÖVP. This outcome reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition and a shift in voter preferences.

The ÖVP-Green government faced various crises, including COVID-19, inflation, and the Ukraine war, which allowed the FPÖ to attract disillusioned voters through anti-establishment rhetoric. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl effectively used alternative media to reach these voters, positioning his party as a strong critic of the government. However, while the FPÖ won the most votes, it lacks sufficient support to form a coalition, as other parties are unwilling to work with it.

President Van der Bellen encouraged cooperation among the three largest parties. He tasked Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the ÖVP with forming a government, despite Nehammer’s condition that the FPÖ exclude Kickl from any coalition—a condition the FPÖ rejects. Currently, the ÖVP and SPÖ are exploring coalition options and may need a third partner, like NEOS or the Greens, to secure a stable government, though significant policy differences could delay the process.

The economic challenges ahead are daunting, with Austria facing a second consecutive recession and rising national debt. Forming a workable three-party coalition in this environment will be challenging, and failure could fuel the FPÖ’s populist narrative. This complex coalition dynamic is unprecedented in Austria, raising concerns about the government’s ability to handle multiple competing interests effectively.

On a broader scale, Austria’s election reflects a wider trend of rising far-right influence in Europe, as seen in countries like France, Hungary, and the Netherlands. Issues like migration and pro-Russian sentiments are increasingly shaping the EU’s political landscape. With Austria close to Ukraine and potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy, Austria’s political decisions could influence broader European stability and the region’s democratic resilience.

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