Austria is gearing up for a crucial national election, with the far-right Freedom Party eyeing a potential win for the first time in the country's history. The party, led by Herbert Kickl, is tapping into voter concerns surrounding immigration, inflation, the conflict in Ukraine, and other pressing issues, following a trend of hard-right gains across Europe.
Kickl, a former interior minister and seasoned campaign strategist, aims to secure the position of Austria's chancellor. Despite drawing parallels to the term 'Volkskanzler' used by the Nazis to describe Adolf Hitler, Kickl has vehemently rejected any such associations.
Recent polls indicate a tight race, with the Freedom Party polling at 27%, closely followed by Chancellor Karl Nehammer's Austrian People's Party at 25% and the center-left Social Democrats at 21%. Kickl has managed to steer the Freedom Party to a resurgence since the 2019 election, where a scandal led to a significant drop in support.
The far-right movement has capitalized on voter frustrations over various issues, including high inflation, the conflict in Ukraine, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns about migration have also played a significant role in shaping voter sentiment.
The Freedom Party's election program advocates for the 'remigration of uninvited foreigners' and emphasizes the need for a more 'homogeneous' nation through stringent border controls and the suspension of the right to asylum under an 'emergency law.'
Under Kickl's leadership, the party has shifted further to the right, with a refusal to distance itself from the Identitarian Movement, a pan-European nationalist group. Kickl's rhetoric has been described as aggressive and deliberately provocative.
While Nehammer's People's Party has seen a decline in popularity, he has positioned his party as the 'strong center' that promises stability amid multiple crises. The government's handling of issues such as high inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a loss of support for the conservatives.
The recent flooding caused by Storm Boris has brought environmental concerns to the forefront of the election debate, aiding Nehammer in narrowing the gap with the Freedom Party by presenting himself as a 'crisis manager.'
The possibility of a coalition government involving the Freedom Party remains uncertain, with Nehammer expressing concerns about Kickl's leadership. However, a coalition between the People's Party and the Freedom Party could materialize if the former secures victory in the election.
