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Austria’s Freedom Party Wins First Far-Right National Election Since World War II

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The Freedom Party (FPÖ) has achieved a historic victory in Austria’s national parliamentary elections, marking the first far-right win since World War II. Preliminary results showed the FPÖ capturing 29.2% of the vote, surpassing Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), which came in second with 26.5%. The Social Democrats (SPÖ) finished third with 21%. The current coalition government of Nehammer’s ÖVP and the environmentalist Greens has now lost its majority in parliament.

Herbert Kickl, the FPÖ leader and former interior minister, aims to become Austria’s new chancellor, but his path to power remains uncertain. He would need a coalition partner to form a majority government, but many political rivals have already indicated they are unwilling to work with him. Nehammer, who previously ruled out a coalition with Kickl, reaffirmed his stance after the election.

The FPÖ’s victory reflects growing public frustration over a range of issues including immigration, inflation, and the war in Ukraine. The party’s nationalist platform, outlined in their manifesto “Fortress Austria,” advocates for stringent border controls, the suspension of asylum rights, and the “remigration” of foreigners. The FPÖ also opposes sanctions against Russia, criticizes Western military support for Ukraine, and seeks to exit the European Sky Shield Initiative, a missile defense project led by Germany.

Despite his controversial views, Kickl’s message has resonated with many voters, especially amid rising concerns over economic instability and the cost of living. His success comes as part of a broader European trend, with far-right parties also gaining ground in countries like the Netherlands and Germany. Geert Wilders, the Dutch far-right leader, and Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), congratulated the FPÖ on social media following their victory.

This election marks a significant rebound for the Freedom Party after a series of setbacks, including a 2019 scandal involving then-party leader Heinz-Christian Strache, who resigned after being caught in a corruption sting. Despite the fallout, the FPÖ has managed to rebuild its support base under Kickl’s leadership, securing its best-ever national election result.

While Nehammer expressed disappointment in not securing first place, he highlighted that his party had made gains from lower poll ratings. However, forming a stable government now presents a challenge, with limited coalition options available. The possibility of an alliance between the ÖVP and SPÖ has been floated as an alternative to including the far-right in government, though such a partnership could face significant obstacles.

The final election results are expected later this week after the remaining postal ballots are counted, though they are unlikely to affect the overall outcome. Meanwhile, public protests erupted in Vienna, with demonstrators opposing Kickl’s far-right agenda and holding signs accusing him of being a “Nazi.”

 

Floods Claim More Lives as Torrential Rain Pounds Central Europe

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The death toll from widespread flooding in central Europe reached eight on Sunday, as torrential rains continued to cause devastation across the region. Thousands were forced to evacuate their homes in the Czech Republic, where rivers overflowed after days of relentless downpours. The severe weather, triggered by a low-pressure system named Boris, has brought some of the worst flooding in nearly three decades, particularly affecting areas in the Czech Republic and Poland.

The heavy rains, which are forecast to continue until Monday, have already wreaked havoc, with thousands of homes damaged, bridges washed away, and power outages affecting approximately 250,000 households, mostly in the Czech Republic. In Poland, one person drowned on Sunday, while in Austria, a firefighter involved in rescue efforts was tragically killed. In Romania, four people lost their lives on Saturday, and two more fatalities were reported on Sunday.

Lower Austria, the province surrounding Vienna, has been declared a disaster zone following the death of the firefighter. Authorities are urging residents to avoid non-essential travel due to the dangerous conditions. In Poland, two bridges collapsed, one in the historic town of Glucholazy and another in the mountain town of Stronie Slaskie, where a dam burst, further complicating rescue efforts.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to declare a state of disaster and request European Union aid to help with the recovery. Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic, emergency services are continuing to search for three individuals who were swept away in their car near the village of Lipova-lazne. The area has experienced nearly 500 mm (19.7 inches) of rainfall since Wednesday, causing severe damage to homes and infrastructure.

Locals in the Czech Republic described the current flooding as worse than the devastating floods of 1997. Residents of some areas, such as the village of Visnova, are bracing for further flooding, as waters from nearby mountains are expected to flow into the region within hours. Emergency crews, including helicopter teams, have evacuated over 10,000 people in the Czech Republic alone.

In Hungary, officials in Budapest have raised forecasts for the Danube River to reach dangerous levels later this week, nearing the record set in 2013. As rain subsides in Romania, recovery efforts are underway, with workers restoring power to around 11,000 homes and beginning the cleanup process. However, many residents, like Victoria Salceanu from the village of Slobozia Conachi, are left devastated by the destruction of their properties.