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By Matthew Impelli
Life & Trends Reporter
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Austria's Freedom Party leader was granted a mandate on Monday to try to form a new government.
Why It Matters
This mandate marks the first time Austria's far-right party is being given the chance to form a new government since World War II.
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What To Know
The Freedom Party of Austria, known for its anti-immigration stance and euroskeptic views, emerged victorious in September's parliamentary election under the leadership of Herbert Kickl. The party, which has opposed sanctions on Russia, secured 28.8 percent of the vote, surpassing outgoing Chancellor Karl Nehammer's conservative Austrian People's Party, which finished in second place.
In October, President Alexander Van der Bellen initially tasked Nehammer with forming a new government. However, Nehammer's Austrian People's Party ruled out a coalition with Kickl's Freedom Party, and other parties refused to work with the far-right altogether. Those efforts to build a governing alliance unraveled in early January, prompting Nehammer to announce his resignation on Saturday.
The Austrian People's Party indicated a potential shift, suggesting it might consider joining a government led by Kickl. Following a one-hour meeting at the presidential palace on Monday, Van der Bellen announced that he had authorized the Freedom Party leader to begin coalition talks with the People's Party to form a new government.
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Austria's far-right and conservative parties have previously shared power but always with the Freedom Party in a junior role. Their most recent coalition, which governed from 2017 to 2019, included Kickl, a 56-year-old known for his provocative style, serving as interior minister.
That government fell apart following a scandal involving the Freedom Party's then-leader. While a coalition agreement between the Freedom Party and the conservatives is not assured, it remains perhaps the only viable path in the current parliament. Polls indicate that holding a new election in the near future could further boost the Freedom Party's position.
In its election manifesto, titled "Fortress Austria," the Freedom Party advocated for the "remigration of uninvited foreigners" and proposed measures to create a more "homogeneous" nation. The plan includes strict border controls and the suspension of asylum rights through the enactment of emergency legislation.
The Freedom Party has called for lifting sanctions on Russia and has voiced strong opposition to Western military aid for Ukraine. It also seeks to withdraw Austria from the European Sky Shield Initiative, a German-led missile defense project. Kickl has frequently criticized the "elites" in Brussels, advocating for the repatriation of certain powers from the European Union to Austria.
The Freedom Party is a member of Patriots for Europe, a right-wing populist bloc in the European Parliament. The alliance includes Hungary's ruling party under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the party of Geert Wilders, whose faction now leads the Netherlands' new government.
What People Are Saying
While speaking to reporters, President Alexander Van der Bellen said: "I did not take this step lightly...I will continue to take care that the principles and rules of our constitution are correctly respected and adhered to."
Van der Bellen acknowledged the challenges awaiting Austria's next government, emphasizing the difficulty of the road ahead.
"The economic environment is difficult. Austria is in a persistent recession, unemployment is rising; at the same time our state budget must be restructured," he said. "It's not likely that all the measures will be popular, but they will have to be implemented."
What's Next
The next steps of the Austrian far-right party are currently unknown. On Monday, Kickl left a meeting with Van der Bellen without addressing reporters.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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