Far right wins elections in the Austrian Legislature
- FPO: 56 seats (in 2019 there were 31)
- OVP: 52 seats (in 2019 there were 71)
- SPO: 41 seats (in 2019 there were 40)
- NEOS: 18 seats (in 2019 there were 15)
- Greens: 16 seats (previously 26)
What is at stake is whether the FPO will appoint the chancellor or not. If that happens, then I have to say that Austria’s role in the European Union would be significantly different. Kickl has said many times that (Hungarian Prime Minister) Viktor Orbán is a role model for him and that he will support him. Kathrin Stainer-Haemmerle, Professor of Political Science at the Carinthian University of Applied Sciences
Kickl is anti-vaccine and anti-immigration. He opposes providing aid to Ukraine and has publicly stated that he wants sanctions against Russia lifted, arguing that they are hurting Austria more than Moscow.
Despite having already been part of the Austrian government a few times, this will be the first time that the ultranationalist party has won parliamentary elections. The FPO grew 13 percentage points compared to 2019 results, with its anti-immigration message and criticism of the measures taken by the current government, made up of conservatives and environmentalists, to control the covid-19 pandemic.
OVP leader does not rule out coalition
Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the OVP reiterated his opposition to forming a government with Kickl. But did not rule out working with the FPO as a party.
