UN Human Rights Commissioner Warns About New Coalition in Austrian Government

The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner on Monday described the new coalition in the Austrian government, consisting of far-right forces, as a "dangerous event" while warning against the "promotion of fear in European politics." Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN Human Rights Commissioner, expressed his deep concern regarding the approach of the Austrian coalition government, warning that the recent decision by new Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to adopt a far-right stance on issues such as immigration to garner voter support is "a dangerous event in European politics." Sebastian Kurz, who took over the leadership of the People's Party in May, has shifted the party's policies to the right. This party won the general elections in Austria in October, and the 31-year-old Kurz was sworn in on Monday as the youngest leader in the world. The far-right Freedom Party, which has sworn in as part of the new Austrian coalition government alongside the conservative People's Party led by Kurz, will control several key ministries in Austria, including the ministries of the interior, foreign affairs, and defense. Thus, the Freedom Party is the only far-right party that is part of a European cabinet. In this context, the UN Human Rights Commissioner stated, "What has happened in Austria over the past six months has worried me. The former foreign minister of that country has shifted his party's policies on immigration and migrant rights to the right to gain votes and has resorted to the far-right party to gain the chancellorship." He criticized Kurz for what he described as "full-scale opportunism" and warned that other European leaders may follow the example of Austria's young chancellor. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein added, "I think we need to pay special attention to the impact of this action on the policies of other European leaders." He warned that other politicians who cannot win elections by adopting right-wing policies may emulate the Austrian chancellor's example. This UN official added, "In this case, we see that the movement did not start from the far-right; they entered from the center-right or centrist politics and then leaned towards the far-right to gain power, blaming and attacking a specific part of the population for the current situation." Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein warned about the rise of a kind of "ethnic nationalism" and "nationalist chauvinism" across Europe, emphasizing that such positions and policies have previously led to dangerous crises in Europe. He reminded that "it is enough to think back 104 years to the situation before World War I, which had similar conditions." Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein warned that "the far-right must seriously consider the path it is leading its countries and the continent of Europe towards." The inauguration of the Austrian right-wing government has also elicited reactions within the European Union. Donald Tusk, the President of the European Union, expressed hope that the new Austrian Chancellor would continue to play a constructive role in support of Europe. Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, congratulated the formation of the new coalition government in Austria and added that they would monitor how they align themselves with European policy, although their desire to play the role of an active partner is understandable. She also reminded that there are many problems that need to be solved. France has also stated that it seeks a European dialogue with the new Austrian government. In this context, Turkey accused the new Austrian government of adopting racist approaches.