In the parliamentary election in this country in September 2024, the Freedom Party became the largest political party in parliament, ahead of Mr. Nehammer’s party. According to ancient political practice around the world, the largest party or coalition in parliament has priority. Mr. van der Bellen broke with this practice, sending Mr. Nehammer to form a government on the grounds that the Liberals were a far-right party. Mr. Nehamer failed, forcing the Austrian president into a situation where he was forced to assign Mr. Kickl to form a government or dissolve the parliament to conduct new general elections.
Austria’s Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl spoke to the press in Vienna on January 7. 2025.
It is unknown whether Mr. Kickl will be able to form a new government or not, but just the fact that this person is tasked with forming a new government is enough to show that the far-right, populist and nationalist faction has taken control. The rise to power in Austria signals that far-right forces in Europe continue to grow. This also has a strong impact on the upcoming parliamentary elections and the formation of a new government.
In Austrian history, the Austrian Freedom Party once participated in government with the Austrian People’s Party, but as a small partner, not in charge of the government as it is now.
The EU cannot help but be deeply concerned as more and more member countries are falling deeper under the influence of far-right, populist and nationalist forces, weakening the EU both internally and externally and making The whole continent became more politically chaotic.
