The Austrian police officers will wear their own uniforms and equipment during their activities.Continue reading
Hungarian government politicians were upbeat on Sunday evening as their European Parliament allies, the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), was announced victor of the general elections. The anti-immigration and Euro-skeptic party is a close ally of Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz.
The FPÖ, which is a member of the Patriots for Europe EP faction has won with 29.1%, their best result ever. Their message focusing on national sovereignty and stricter border controls had resonated strongly with voters outside the capital Vienna. Their two main rivals have suffered a crushing defeat, with the current government party, Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) losing as much as 11 percent as compared with their last election result in 2019. From the radical left, the Social Democrats (SPÖ) came only third with 20.6%, their worst performance in decades, while the Greens have lost some 5% of their previous support, coming only fifth behind the liberals of NEOS.
Austria, national parliament election, Foresight 5:30 PM projection:
FPÖ-PfE: 29.1% (+13)
ÖVP-EPP: 26.3% (-11.1)
SPÖ-S&D: 20.6% (-0.6)
NEOS-RE: 9% (+0.9)
GRÜNE-G/EFA: 8.8% (-5.1)
KPÖ-LEFT: 2.3% (+1.6)
BIER-*: 2.1% (new)
KEINE-LEFT: 0.6% (+0.1)
LMP-*: 0.5% (new)— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) September 29, 2024
Hungarian government politicians did not hide their joy over the result, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó posted on Facebook saying “What a weekend!!! After the Czech Republic, a Patriot victory in the neighborhood. The Freedom Party has never won a parliamentary election in Austria. But now our allies have come first. “No” to the war, “no” to migration and “no” to gender propaganda! Bravo, big, big congratulations! Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Viktor Orbán (R), Andrej Babis (L) and Herbert Kickl (C) in Vienna on June 30, during their joint press conference announcing the formation of the Patriots for Europe group. Photo: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Fischer Zoltán
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also congratulated the leader of the FPÖ on X: “Another win for the Patriots (…for Europe, ed. note): an historic victory for FPÖ in Austria! Congratulations to Herbert Kickl!”, he wrote. Fidesz MEP Ernő Schaller-Baross called the result a “historic breakthrough” on the platform X. “Austria’s FPÖ comes out on the top in the parliamentary election for the first time in history! Congratulations!
With this victory, the Patriots for Europe can bring EU decision-makers back to the realm of common sense.”
We advocate for peace; we support border protection against illegal migration; and instead of centralism, we emphasize respect for Member State sovereignty!”, Schaller-Baross wrote.
Despite their confident victory, it is far from being guaranteed that the FPÖ will succeed in forming Austria’s next government. Current chancellor, Karl Nehammer had excluded the possibility of joining a government lead by Herbert Kickl, although he did not say the same about a coalition with the FPÖ without Kickl at the helm. Austrian media are already talking about a government coalition of “the losers”, an alliance between the centrist ÖVP, the left SPÖ and possibly the Greens. Nevertheless, the center-right’s victory will mean a significant boost for Austrian-Hungarian cross-border cooperation concerning topics such as migration and Brussels’ assertive federalization. It is also a significant boost for the prestige of the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament, of which both Fidesz and the FPÖ are founding members.
Another good news for the Hungarian government over the weekend was the announcement that the Czech Priates Party will be leaving Petr Fiala’s left-wing government in Prague. This will increase the chance of early elections in Czechia, where currently Viktor Orbán’s friend and ally, Andrej Babis’ ANO party would be clear favorites to win.
Featured Image: X Herbert Kickl