If successful, it would be the first Austrian government led by the far right since World War II
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The Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen gave the green light to the leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), Herbert Kickl, to try to form the new ruling coalition, after the two men met in Vienna on Monday.
“Mr. Kickl has the confidence to find viable solutions in government negotiations and wants to take on this responsibility“, declared M. Van der Bellen.
If successful, it would be the first Austrian government led by the far right since World War II.
Mr Kickl’s party won the Austrian parliamentary elections in Septemberreceiving 28.8% of the vote and overtaking the conservative party of outgoing chancellor Karl Nehammer, who came in second place.
Initially, Mr Van der Bellen tasked Mr Nehammer with forming a government in October. However, Karl Nehammer’s party refused to enter into a coalition with Herbert Kickl’s FPÖ, and other parties also refused to work with the far right.
These efforts to create a government alliance without the FPÖ failed at the beginning of Januarywhich prompted Mr. Nehammer to announce his resignation on Saturday.
After Mr. Nehammer’s departure, the Austrian People’s Party indicated that it was potentially open to collaboration under Mr. Kickl’s leadership. Although the success of negotiations between the two parties is not guaranteed, there are no other viable coalition options in the current parliament.
Furthermore, polls suggest that a new election could strengthen the FPÖ’s position.
Which partner, and which program?
Austria has seen far-right and conservative coalitions in the past, although the FPÖ has historically served as a junior partner.
From 2017 to 2019, the two parties governed together in a coalition that ended in scandal under the leadership of the FPÖ. During this period, Mr. Kickl, known for his provocative rhetoric, served as interior minister.
The FPÖ election manifesto, entitled “Fortress Austria“, advocates strict border controls, the suspension of asylum rights through emergency laws and the “remigration of uninvited foreigners” in order to create a more “homogenous” society.
The party also opposes sanctions against Russia, criticizes Western military support for Ukraine and calls for Austria’s withdrawal from the European “Sky Shield” initiative, a missile defense project led by Germany.
Mr Kickl has often criticized Brussels “elites” and advocates for the return of some EU powers to Austria.
