Europe’s far-right parties celebrate victory in far-flung Austrian elections By Reuters
Written by Dave Graham
VIENNA (Reuters) – Europe’s far-right political parties celebrated Sunday’s parliamentary election victory by Austria’s Freedom Party (FPO) as a boost to conservatives in the country amid growing right-wing concerns over immigration.
Led by Herbert Kickl, who is concerned about the poor economy and concerns that Austria has absorbed people too quickly rather than integrating them, the FPO won about 29% of the vote, a record result that could give it the platform to lead the next government. .
Kickl must find a partner to form a stable coalition and is loathed by other party leaders, who refused to work under him and soon began discussing the possibility of hearing alternatives to the FPO-led government.
But there were warm voices from European unions, where the FPO is part of the far-right group within the European Parliament led by France’s National Rally (RN).
Its leader Marine Le Pen expressed happiness with the victory and said it shows that those parties are moving forward.
“After the Italian, Dutch and French elections, this strong wave of support for the protection of national interests, the protection of identity and the revival of sovereignty, guarantees the victory of the people everywhere,” Le Pen wrote on the X website.
Bjoern Hoecke, one of the leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), called the FPO’s win “a sensation” and told X: “The victory of the FPO is not just a victory for Austria – it goes beyond the borders of the republic of Alpine is also a good symbol of European progress.”
A victory for the Eurosceptic FPO would sow divisions within the European Union over areas of foreign policy such as support for Ukraine against Moscow’s invasion of the country.
Kickl opposes sending aid to Kyiv and critics of the RN and other groups in the far-right Patriots for Europe party, the third-largest in the European parliament, often argue that they have been too soft on Moscow over its attacks on Ukraine.
Earlier this year Kickl closed an alliance with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party, which often blocks or delays major EU decisions such as sanctions against Russia and aid to Ukraine.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Facebook (NASDAQ:): “What a weekend!! After the Czech Republic, another victory for the Patriots across the border … No war, no migration and no sexist propaganda!”
Dutch nationalist Geert Wilders, whose PVV party leads the Dutch government, responded to the FPO’s victory in X by saying: “We are winning! Times are changing! Ownership, sovereignty, freedom and no more illegal migration / asylum is what tens of millions of Europeans want! “
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini of the ruling League coalition said in a statement that Austria’s vote was “a historic day in the name of change.”
“For those who talk about the ‘extreme right’, let us remind them that in Vienna (as in the rest of Europe) there is only a desire for change by returning the values of work, family and security to the center,” he added.
