AfD-Effect in Austria: Will Mainstream Parties Exclude FPÖ?
Media reports suggest that a grand coalition between the centre-right and centre-left is already forming.
Media reports suggest that a grand coalition between the centre-right and centre-left is already forming.
Allowing immigrants to access Austria’s generous social welfare system inhibits the process of integration, a leading FPÖ politician said.
Center-right and center-left parties—FPÖ’s opposition—meanwhile are at each others’ throats throwing around accusations of wrongdoing and antisemitism.
Presently, with the polling figures as they are, the national-conservative Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) will be needed to form a majority coalition unless the center-right People’s Party (ÖVP) is willing to take a sharp left turn to join forces with the SPÖ along with either the Greens or NEOS.
The party has been split on how to respond to the rise of the FPÖ—with Doskozil championing a more conservative line on immigration, and Babler wishing to take the SPÖ to the Left.
Party insiders expect tensions to boil over at a special conference next month, with the establishment centre-left party struggling to respond to the rise of the FPÖ.
The election results mean that the ‘grand coalition’ between the SPÖ and the ÖVP will more than likely continue to rule in the region.
The trial was thrown out on procedural grounds, with the FPÖ rejecting accusations of bribery as baseless and defamatory.
These departures mark the 13th and 14th resignations of a minister or chancellor in Austria since the formation of the government in early 2020. The government has ignored the opposition’s demands for new elections.
Confidence in politics is dropping drastically and the Austrian elite begin to resemble the naked emperor, flaunting his new clothes.
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