2024-09-29 13:37:00
Article with The Economist She addresses the rise of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and its potential success in the September 29 elections. The report highlights how the FPÖ, led by Herbert Kickl from 2021, managed to rise in the polls after the 2019 scandal involving former leader Heinz-Christian Strache.
One of the most important aspects that was taken into account was Kickl’s communication strategy. to “cunning, discipline and marketing talents” has allowed the party to surpass the other main competitors, ranking at 27% in the polls, compared to 25% for Karl Nehammer’s ÖVP and 21% for the SPÖ. Although the FPÖ’s electoral platform is strongly focused on immigration and the closure of asylum seekers, during the televised debate with Nehammer, Kickl did not spend much time on this issue, preferring to attack the Chancellor on issues such as his handling of the pandemic.
The article also discusses possible post-election alliances. Although any combination between the three major parties is theoretically possible, certain alliances are less likely due to personal and ideological tensions. The ÖVP has a history of coalition with the FPÖ, but Nehammer expressed concern about working directly with Kickl, admitting that there are “healthy” members within the FPÖ.
A concern highlighted by the British newspaper is the pro-Russian profile of the FPÖ, which has caused problems in the past in cooperation with related intelligence agencies. This raises questions (from the point of view of The Economist, which is blind for the Atlantic) about Austria’s national security and about the future international relations in the case of a government led by the FPÖ.
The article also contextualizes Austria’s situation within a wider European trend, where the traditional barriers between mainstream parties and right-wing populist formations are shrinking. Austria’s experience could be an indicator of how these dynamics might play out in other European countries.
It is important to note that the Anglo-American media tends to label as “extreme right” even political figures such as Giorgia Meloni and Matteo Salvini, who in Italy are often placed in a different context. This suggests that political categories can change dramatically depending on the media and the cultural landscape.
ELECTIONS IN AUSTRIA. FPÖ BEST IN VOTING
Leading the polls for two years, the Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (FPÖ, Freedom Party of Austria) is in favor in today’s parliamentary elections (source):
⚫️ FPÖ 26%
ÖVP 25%
SPÖ 21%
NEOS 12%
Green 8%
BEER 3%
☭ KPÖ 3%
Poll on the possible division of seats:
FP: 53 [48-58]
ÖVP: 50 [46-54]
SP: 40 [36-44]
GREEN: 20 [17-23]
NEOS: 20 [17-23]
BEAR: 0 [0-10]
KPÖ: 0
#ELECTIONS #AUSTRIA #FPÖ #POLL #News