The Far-Right Freedom Party Likely to Win in Austria's General Elections

The Associated Press reported that speculation suggests that the far-right and anti-immigrant Freedom Party of Austria could secure the highest number of votes in the general elections on Sunday, October 15. According to the news agency, one of the central issues in the election campaign in Austria is 'immigration.' Herbert Kickl, a former Austrian minister and leader of the Freedom Party, has explicitly stated: 'We do not want asylum requests in Austria. Anyone who stops the migration of nations has prevented the entry of Islamism.' He is running with the slogan to become 'Chancellor of the People,' a title that Adolf Hitler had claimed for himself, although Kickl has rejected this comparison. The Freedom Party has modeled its policies after Hungary and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's strategies to prevent the entry of migrants. The Associated Press added that, based on polls, this right-wing populist party has held the top position for months, and its victory in the Austrian general elections would be unprecedented. The news agency noted that the Freedom Party needs a coalition partner to gain a majority in the lower house of parliament. Current Chancellor Karl Nehammer has repeatedly rejected cooperation with Herbert Kickl. Additionally, Alexander Van der Bellen, the President of Austria, has also opposed Kickl as Chancellor. Recent polls indicate a close competition among Austrian parties, with support for the Freedom Party at 27%, the conservative Austrian People's Party led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer at 25%, and the center-left Social Democrats at 21%. A far-right party in Germany has won a state election for the first time since the end of World War II, leading to the cancellation of Taylor Swift's concerts in Austria following the arrest of two suspects linked to ISIS.