Far right in Austria ‘opens new era’ with election victory

BBC:

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party has opened the door to a new era, its leader Herbert Kickl has told supporters, as they celebrated an unprecedented election victory.

Projected results gave Kickl’s party 28.8% – more than two points ahead of the conservative People’s Party on 26.3%, but far short of a majority.

Kickl’s victory is only the latest in a string of far-right election successes in Europe and he praised voters for their “optimism, courage and trust” in delivering a “piece of history”.

The Freedom Party (FPÖ) has been in coalition before, but the second-placed conservative People’s Party has refused to take part in a government led by him.

Kickl’s main rival, incumbent Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the People Party (ÖVP), has said it’s “impossible to form a government with someone who adores conspiracy theories”.

There was a high turnout of 78% as Austria’s 6.3 million voters took part in an election dominated by the twin issues of migration and asylum, as well as a flagging economy and the war in Ukraine.

As half the map of Austria turned dark blue, FPÖ general secretary Michael Schnedlitz said “the men and women of Austria have made history today”, although he refused to say what kind of coalition his party would try to build. An analysis of voters suggested those aged 35-59 were most likely to vote for the far right, and marginally more women than men.