The attempt by Austria’s other political parties to sabotage a new government led by the election winner Freedom Party (FPÖ), by installing government coalition among the People’s Party (ÖVP), the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and Neos, failed on Jan. 4, when the latter opted out. Outgoing Chancellor Nehammer declared his resignation, ÖVP leader Christian Stocker said he is open now for a coalition with the FPÖ. According to traditional political mathematics, that implies that FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl would be the new Chancellor.
FPÖ had won the September national election with 28.85%, followed by the ÖVP with 26.3% and the SPÖ with 21.1%. The polarization of the political scene in Austria is extreme. It is fixated around the other political parties charging Kickl with right-wing extremism and racism, but also on his opposition to EU positions that are overruling the county’s neutrality status, and on his views favorable to Russia. The attempt to form an FPÖ-ÖVP government may fail, then Austria would have to have elections again—which, since the FPÖ is becoming more popular amidst this months-long chaos, may see the party gain 35% of the vote and more.
