Austria is electing a new parliament today. Pre-election polls showed the ruling ÖVP slightly behind the right-wing FPÖ. The latter was in the news a day before the election due to a scandal involving an SS song.
In Austria, voting starts relatively early. The first polling stations opened at 6 AM, and most close between 1 PM and 4 PM. Only in two municipalities can voters cast their ballots until 5 PM, including the capital, Vienna.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen urged citizens through a video message to exercise their right to vote: “Those who do not vote let others decide. To be honest, I wouldn’t rely on that,” said Van der Bellen. “So: don’t complain later, act beforehand.”
Polls Show FPÖ Ahead
For the first time in a National Council election, the far-right FPÖ is leading in the polls. The declared goal of party leader Herbert Kickl is the chancellorship. Other parties are warning against Kickl. Just before the election, a video surfaced yesterday showing high-ranking FPÖ politicians at a funeral where an SS loyalty song was sung.
The only party willing to coalition with the FPÖ is the conservative Austrian People’s Party. It only rules out cooperation with Kickl. The ÖVP won the 2019 election under Sebastian Kurz with over 37 percent. In current polls, it is well over ten percentage points below that, in second place.
First Projections Shortly After 5 PM
ÖVP top candidate and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed optimism this morning during voting that the election might still turn in his favor. The party has “created a strong election movement,” Nehammer said. “The many conversations with the people have simply shown that they find trust even in my work. And now it is about me receiving the mandate as well.”
The first projections are expected shortly after 5 PM. They could have a margin of two percentage points or more. Christoph Hofinger from the polling research institute Foresight expects that a clear winner may not be determined: “We expect very large shifts among several parties. Significant urban-rural differences.” Drawing conclusions from the projections in the cities to Austria’s many rural municipalities is risky, says Hofinger.
Minor Parties as a Tipping Point?
The preliminary final result is not expected to be known before 11 PM. What majorities will be possible in parliament ultimately depends significantly on whether two minor parties enter the National Council: the Beer Party and the Communist Party.
Whether they will surpass the four percent hurdle might not even be decided until Thursday when the last mail-in votes are counted. “If a party has 3.8 percent on election night, it means they shouldn’t give up all hope,” says election researcher Hofinger.
Once the results are official, the Federal President will hold discussions with all parties. Usually, the Federal President also entrusts the strongest party with forming the government. However, whether he would handle it the same way in the event of an FPÖ election victory remains open, said Alexander Van der Bellen.