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Austria's Far-Right Freedom Party Wins Historic Election with 29.1%

Sep 29, 2024, 07:13 AM

Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), led by Herbert Kickl, is projected to win the most votes in Sunday's parliamentary election, marking a historic first for the party with 29.1%. The election, which has been seen as a referendum on Kickl, has highlighted his controversial and provocative leadership style, despite his low approval ratings among top Austrian politicians. The FPÖ's platform includes anti-immigration policies, a zero-asylum stance, and skepticism towards EU support for Ukraine. This election result could challenge Austria's traditional political landscape and impact the EU's unity on the Ukraine conflict. The ruling conservatives (ÖVP) are projected to receive 26.2%, while the Social Democrats (SPÖ) are expected to get 20.4%. The Greens are expected to suffer significant losses, potentially losing over a third of their support.