“Earthquake”: The far-right Freedom Party in Austria wins the elections | Election news

Austria's far-right Freedom Party topped the country's national elections with a historic victory, but it is likely to face difficulties in finding partners that would enable it to form a ruling coalition.

The Freedom Party received 28.8 percent of the votes, defeating the ruling conservative People's Party to occupy second place with 26.3 percent, according to almost complete results.

Although the Freedom Party has participated in coalition governments before, this is the first time it has won a national vote, and comes at a time when far-right parties across Europe are making gains.

However, all other parties in the country have refused to form a coalition with the pro-Russian Freedom Party, which was founded in the 1950s under the leadership of a former Nazi lawmaker. Leader Herbert Kickl is also a provocative and polarizing figure, whom the other party leaders do not like at all.

“We wrote a piece of history together today,” 55-year-old Kickl told cheering supporters in Vienna. “We have opened the door to a new era.”

Like other far-right parties elsewhere in Europe, the Freedom Party has surged in popularity amid voter anger over issues such as immigration, the state of the economy and restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is definitely an earthquake and sends a shock wave to all other parties,” political analyst Thomas Hofer told AFP.

“Our hand is extended”

Kickl, who took over the party's leadership in 2021, said he was ready to form a government that included “every one” of the parties in parliament.

He added: “Our hands are extended in all directions.”

The atmosphere was festive among supporters of the Austrian Freedom Party, as supporters dressed in traditional Austrian dress drank cups of beer.

“It's a real success,” said Erik Berglund, a bartender. “It's going to be a very exciting time” as the Freedom Party tries to form a government. The 35-year-old praised Kickel as “the most competent leader.”

Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who has managed to close the gap between the FPO and Politics in recent weeks in the opinion polls, admitted that he had failed to achieve this.

“It was a catch-up race, and unfortunately we could not manage it,” said 51-year-old Nehammer, who promised to “continue fighting for the interests of the people.”

However, Nehammer could remain chancellor by forming a coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPO) and perhaps another party, perhaps the liberal NEOS.

SPO gained 21.1 percent, similar to its record-low 2019 results, while NEOS reached 9.2 percent.

The formation of a three-party coalition will be the first of its kind, but analysts say it may face difficulties in governing given the country's shift towards the right.

Analysts say a coalition between the far right and the conservatives – who have been in power since 1987 – remains a likely possibility.

The Freedom Party's first government with the Conservatives in 2000 sparked widespread protests and sanctions from Brussels.

The second collapsed due to the Freedom Party's stunning corruption scandal in 2019 after only a year and a half in power.

More than 6.3 million of Austria's nine million population are entitled to vote.

Nehammer reiterated his refusal to work with Kickl, who called himself the future “Volkskanzler,” meaning people's advisor, as Adolf Hitler was called in the 1930s.

Kickl regularly attacks the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

If Kickl succeeds in becoming chancellor, Austria's role in the EU will be “significantly different,” said Katharine Steiner-Hemmerli, a professor of political science at Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.

“Kickel has said that often [Hungarian Prime Minister] She told Reuters news agency that Viktor Orban is a role model for him and will stand by him.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos