Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) is currently leading negotiations to form a coalition with the centre-right ÖVP after a plan by other parties to block it from a ruling coalition failed.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Vienna on Thursday to voice opposition to the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) and its controversial leader, Herbert Kickl, who has been invited to form the country’s new government after coalition talks between other parties broke down.
Authorities estimated around 25,000 people attended the protests, according to the Austrian newspaper Der Standard. The protesters held signs reading: “We don’t want right-wing extremism Austria” and “Never again is now”. Several hundred people also gathered in Austrian cities such as Innsbruck, Salzburg and Graz.
During the protests, the ÖVP announced its intention to enter into coalition negotiations with the FPÖ, a U-turn for the party that previously vowed never to work with Kickl.
The ÖVP has previously governed in a coalition with the FPÖ, most recently from 2017 to 2019 — a government that collapsed after the then-head of the FPÖ Heinz-Christian Strache became embroiled in a corruption scandal.
This time, however, the ÖVP would be the junior partner in the coalition after the FPÖ won national elections in September with 29.2% of the vote.
It is currently unclear if the pair could form a harmonious coalition, especially in the context of the ÖVP having to defer to the FPÖ. Both have a restrictive stance on immigration and particularly asylum policy, however differ drastically on foreign policy.
The FPÖ is euroskeptic and Russia-friendly, while the ÖVP has been steadfast in his approval of Austria’s EU membership and rejection of Russian influence.
Policy differences aside, the two parties have spent considerable time criticising one another. Kickl has repeatedly demanded the ÖVP take responsibility for Austria’s sluggish economy, as well as what he calls its failings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ÖVP, in turn, has deemed Kickl a “security risk” to the Alpine nation.
Such was the ÖVP’s dislike for Kickl, the party entered into coalition negotiations with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the liberal Neos party to deliberately block Kickl from power. Those negotiations fell apart last week after Neos withdrew, citing ideological differences.
Kickl is a polarising figure in Austria who has long-attracted criticism for his casual use of Nazi-era terms — having once called himself the “Volkskanzler” — as well as his opposition to vaccinations and lockdowns during the pandemic.
However, his party is currently in a strong position to begin negotiations talks, as recent polling suggests FPÖ would only increase its support to 35% should discussions fail and a new election be called.
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