In Austria, the right-wing populists have scored another clear victory. According to the ORF projection, the right-wing FPÖ came first by a wide margin in the regional elections in Styria with 35.4 percent. The result represents an increase of 17.5 percentage points. The conservative ÖVP, which previously governed together with the social democratic SPÖ, came in at 26.7 percent (minus 9.4 percent). The SPÖ is at 23 percent – a slight drop.
The election in Styria, Austria’s fourth-largest federal state in terms of population, is also regarded as a barometer of the national political mood. The FPÖ’s immense gain is in line with the trend of the last state elections in Vorarlberg and the National Council elections in September.
While the FPÖ is still politically isolated at federal level due to its leader Herbert Kickl – the 56-year-old is considered too radical by the other parties – the FPÖ can hope for coalition partners in Styria under its top candidate Mario Kunasek.
The FPÖ’s renewed victory is likely to increase the pressure on the ÖVP, SPÖ and liberal Neos to succeed. The three parties are currently trying to forge a coalition government in Vienna. The three-party alliance is seen as an attempt to keep the FPÖ from becoming chancellor.