Austria's Far-Right Victory: Party Leader Norbert Hofer Calls for Rivals to Allow Him to Form Government

October 5, 2024

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - The leader of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), Norbert Hofer, has called on his rivals to let him govern after his party’s surprise victory in the country’s parliamentary elections.

In a press conference on Monday, Hofer urged the center-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the center-left Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) to put aside their differences and allow the FPÖ to form a government.

“We have won the election, and we have a clear mandate to govern,” Hofer said. “It is time for our rivals to respect the will of the people and let us get on with the job.”

The FPÖ, which has been linked to neo-Nazi groups and has been accused of promoting xenophobic and anti-immigrant policies, won 29.5% of the vote in Sunday’s election, making it the largest party in the Austrian parliament.

The ÖVP came in second with 22.5%, while the SPÖ, which has been in government for the past 10 years, finished third with 20.6%.

Hofer’s call for his rivals to let him govern is seen as a challenge to the traditional parties, which have long dominated Austrian politics. The FPÖ has been excluded from government since 2005, when it was part of a coalition with the ÖVP.

However, ÖVP leader Sebastian Kurz has already ruled out a coalition with the FPÖ, citing concerns about the party’s extremist views. The SPÖ has also expressed reservations about working with the FPÖ.

Despite the challenges ahead, Hofer remains optimistic about his chances of forming a government. “We are ready to work with anyone who is willing to cooperate with us,” he said. “But we will not compromise on our core values and policies.”

The FPÖ’s victory has sent shockwaves throughout Europe, with many leaders expressing concern about the rise of far-right parties on the continent.

The European Union’s Migration Commissioner, Dimitris Avramopoulos, warned that the FPÖ’s anti-immigrant policies could lead to a “xenophobic and nationalist” agenda in Austria.

The Austrian election result is seen as a test of the stability of the EU’s migration policies, which have been under strain since the 2015 refugee crisis.

As the FPÖ begins its efforts to form a government, many are watching to see whether Hofer will be able to deliver on his promises and lead a stable administration.

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