EU holds its breath as far-right in Austria edges closer to power

This article was originally published in French

FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, who has been tasked with forming a coalition government, is opposed to sanctions against Russia, advocates for the remigration of foreigners and rejects the Green Deal.

Herbert Kickl’s possible rise to the Austrian chancellorship could have implications for the EU at a time when Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the war in Ukraine and the Draghi report on European competitiveness emphasise calls for the 27 member states to act as one.

Initially shut out of negotiations to form a coalition government, the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) is on the verge of seeing its leader rise to Chancellor.

In a dramatic U-turn, President Alexander Van der Bellen has tasked the far-right FPÖ, led by Herbert Kickl, with forming a coalition following the failure of negotiations between conservatives, liberals and social democrats.

War in Ukraine

The FPÖ is vehemently opposed to sanctions against Russia as well as to sending arms to Ukraine, pointing to Austrian neutrality as the reasoning. It is due to this constitutional principle, which was adopted in 1955, that Austria is not a NATO member.

“They would like to see the war end as soon as possible, whatever that may mean for Ukraine,” says Stefan Lehne, a researcher at the Carnegie Europe think tank.

Migration tightening

Opposing immigration is another of the FPÖ’s flagship stances. Herbert Kickl advocates for the closing of borders, remigrating foreigners and opposing the right to asylum.

“He has called for the formation of an Austrian fortress, essentially, to protect us from the influx of migrants,” Stefan Lehne tells Euronews.

The FPÖ rejects the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, adopted in 2024, which aims to step up the fight against illegal immigration and ensure greater solidarity between Member States in the event of mass arrivals of migrants.

“Essentially, they want to renationalise migration policy,” says Lehne.

Less Europe

Herbert Kickl is in favour of lowering environmental standards in Europ, and opposes the European Green Deal.

The FPÖ leader preaches a return of certain powers to go back to sovereign states, without however advocating for complete exit from the EU.

“They want an intergovernmental Europe without strong supranational institutions,” explains Lehne.

For the first time since the Second World War, the Alpine country of 9 million could be led by a far-right chancellor.

The Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) came first in the federal elections in September with over 28% of the vote, beating the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP, 26%). The Social Democrats (SPÖ) won 21% of the vote, followed by the Liberals (9%) and the Greens (8%).

The cordon sanitaire did not last long, and efforts to block the path of the far-right have failed.

The FPÖ may have to dilute some of its policies in order to successfully form a coalition, however. It is likely to do so with Austria’s conservatives, the ÖVP.

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