In Austria, there was a vote to renew the parliament: according to preliminary estimates, the far-right FPÖ is leading, led by former Interior Minister Herbert Kickl, who has already announced that he wants to be Volkskanzler, “the country’s chancellor.” People”, in case of victory. The ÖVP, Chancellor Nehammer’s People’s Party, got 26.2%. The SPO’s Social Democrats got 20.4% while the Greens got 8.6%. It is difficult to form a coalition. President Van der Bellen: “Now “The parties must find a solution.”
Polls have closed in Austria, where a vote was taken to renew the constitution National CouncilVienna Parliament: The electorate’s vote appears to hand victory to the ultra-nationalist liberal FPÖ, led by former Interior Minister Herbert Kickl. According to opinion polls broadcast by state TV ORF, the far-right party is leading with 29.1% while the OPV, Chancellor Nehammer’s people’s party, has 26.2%. The Social Democrats of the SPO party received 20.4%, while the Green Party received 8.6%. The first immediate comment from Austria’s Freedom Party spokesman, Michael Schindlitz, after the first statements showing his party’s wide lead, which was firmly in the lead, was: “Thank you, thank you to every voter: today the Austrians made history. The population has expressed itself.” “Clearly in favor of change.” Instead, People’s Party Secretary Christian Stocker said: “We are clearly disappointed with these results. We expected more, and now we have to think about how to regain voters’ confidence. But we are opposed to forming a coalition with Herbert Kickl.”
Political earthquake
If these are the results, it will be a real revolution for a country that has already seen the far right come to power, albeit as a government partner, between 1999 and 2002, with Jörg Haider, and in 2017, with Heinz-Christian Strache who was also Prime Minister. He became vice chancellor. The vote seems far away 5 years ago, when the ÖVP, led by Sebastian Kurz and the Green Party in coalition, won the election with 37.5% of the vote, making its leader become the world’s youngest ever head of government. But since 2019, a lot has happened in the state in the heart of the Alps: the coronavirus pandemic and its exit rules; Cortes falls with surrender; The very short interregnum of party comrade Alexander Schallenberg (which lasted only two months) and then, as of 6 December 2021, the candidacy of Karl Nehammer also from the Popular Party. But the story is different for the far-right of the FPÖ: after hitting its lowest point in 2019, in the wake of the Ibizagate corruption scandal involving then-Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, the party quickly recovered thanks to the leadership of Carinthian Kickl. , 55 years old, has already announced his desire to become People’s AdvisorThat is, the “people’s advisor” in the event of winning the elections. In these five years, Kickl has shown himself to be critical of immigration, anti-Covid measures, and climate policies, as well as not looking favorably on sanctions against Russia in the name of Austrian neutrality. The positions are certainly at odds with the choices made by the ÖVP-Green coalition government, which has been defined as “the worst government ever.”
Sue from the inside
Herbert Kickl, the man in the shadows who wants to move Austria to the right
It is difficult to form a coalition
With the numbers showing in the polls, barring an alliance between the Freedom Party and the People’s Party on paper, forming a coalition becomes a very complex task. The parliament that goes to the polls today, if the data is confirmed, is largely divided, and no political force enjoys an absolute majority: the extreme right is the first political force with 57 seats, the People’s Party is second with 51 seats, and the Socialists are in third place with 41 seats. The Greens and New Liberals are tied on 17 seats each. Talks to form a potential government will then begin tomorrow, a difficult task for President Alexander van der Bellen, who opposes entrusting leadership of the executive branch to Kickl. In this very ambiguous context, it is clear that rumors about Karl Nehammer’s future follow each other, but the situation remains fluid and consultations could reveal unexpected developments. The next few days will be crucial in understanding how Austria will manage its internal challenges and its relations with the European Union.
Van der Bellen: “Now the parties must find a solution”
For the first time in the history of the Second Republic, the President of the Federal Republic of Austria addressed the people on the evening of election day. “I have decided today – began Alexander van der Bellen – that we live in a democratic country.” Then he added: “I would like to thank all those who participated in the elections, especially the thousands of voters, and I would like to thank everyone, in all parties, who are willing to take responsibility and have the courage to stand up for it.” Something, this is what I want: I want what is best for our country and our people.” Speaking about the formation of the new government, Van der Bellen said: “Now the government formation phase begins, which can be compared to a high jump. The majority has been determined by a 50% majority in Parliament.” He continued. The federal president said: “As you know, no party has been able to cross the 50% threshold on its own, and it is now important to come together and negotiate to find solutions. It may take some time, but the time has been well spent,” and he expected that he would ask “the current government.” Staying until a new government is appointed.”
Sue from the inside
Will Austria reward the far right in voting?
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