Official election results from the Austrian government

Austria's Far-Right Freedom Party Secures Historic Victory with 29.1% Under Herbert Kickl

Sep 29, 2024, 03:14 PM

Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), led by Herbert Kickl, has secured a historic victory in the national parliamentary elections, winning 29.1% of the vote, according to early projections. This marks the first time the FPÖ has emerged as the strongest party, surpassing the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) which garnered 26.2%. The election results indicate a significant shift in Austria's political landscape, with the FPÖ's anti-immigration stance and opposition to EU sanctions on Russia resonating with voters. The incumbent coalition government of the ÖVP and the Greens suffered heavy losses. The Social Democrats also faced a historic low in their performance. Despite their win, forming a coalition government may prove challenging for the FPÖ, given their polarizing platform and the reluctance of other parties to collaborate with them. The FPÖ is projected to secure 57 seats in the parliament.