Austria far right scores historic win in national vote

VIENNA: Austria´s far right topped Sunday´s national elections, marking a historic victory by beating the ruling conservatives in the Alpine EU nation.

While the Freedom Party (FPOe) has been in government several times, this is the first time it has won a national vote.

But even with the victory, it is not certain it will be able to form a government.

In line with far-right parties elsewhere in Europe, the FPOe has seen its popularity surge, fed by voter anger over migration, inflation and Covid restrictions.

The FPOe stood at 29.1 percent of votes, against 26.3 percent for the conservative People´s Party (OeVP), according to projections based on more than 60 percent of the votes counted.

FPOe leader Herbert Kickl, who took over the scandal-tainted party in 2021 and led its recovery, said he was ready to form the government with “each and every one” of the parties in parliament.

“It can´t be any more clear than today” that the country must “reconnect with the population´s needs,” Kickl said on national television after the results were announced.

“Our hand is outstretched in all directions,” he said.

At the FPOe headquarters, the atmosphere was festive, as supporters wearing traditional Austrian dresses downed glasses of beer. “It´s a real success... It will be a very, very exciting time” with the FPOe trying to form the government, said Erik Berglund, 35, a waiter. He hailed sharp-tongued Kickl as the “most competent leader”.