Austria | How does the victory of the pro-Russian Freedom Party affect it? The expert evaluates

of Austria The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) is well on its way to victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. According to forecasts, the party would get 29 percent of all votes.

The people’s party ÖVP and the Social Democrats are taking the second and third largest parties.

Although the election victory seems certain, it is unclear what kind of leader of the governing coalition the Freedom Party will be Herbert Kickl would manage to form. Many parties have refused to cooperate with the FPÖ, which is known for its anti-immigration and Russian sympathies.

Helsinki academy researcher at the university’s Center for European Studies Timo Miettinen says that, paradoxically, the election victory may make the Freedom Party’s path to government less likely.

In the past, FPÖ has been in the government as an auxiliary party, and the same could have succeeded this time as well.

However, with the election victory, the FPÖ would also end up as the largest party in the chancellor’s party. However, ÖVP and the Social Democrats have said no to such an option, says Miettinen.

The Freedom Party’s Kickl announced on Sunday that it is ready to negotiate the government composition with all parties. He said that the parties should reconsider their position on refusing to cooperate with the government.

Thoughtful however, says that if it is difficult for the FPÖ to find partners in the government, it would be difficult for others as well. The ÖVP rapidly lost its support, and in addition to that, the Greens’ vote share is also getting smaller.

According to Miettinen, a government could be formed with the cooperation of the left and the right, but the challenge for the parties would then be to stop the FPÖ’s rise in support.

According to Miettinen, the FPÖ’s election results cannot be ignored. Austria must somehow be able to respond to the concerns that raised the support of the Freedom Party to this level.

He believes that a big reason for the increase in support is the Freedom Party’s line on Russia. It has criticized the sanctions imposed after the war in Ukraine, especially with regard to energy. 80 percent of the gas Austria buys comes from Russia.

Miettinen believes that national opinion in Austria is turning to consider the national interest before supporting Ukraine. And it is not necessarily alone, but other parts of Europe are also tired of the costs of war.

“Yes, it is some kind of signal,” Miettinen states.