Austrian far right pledges election victory as tight race concludes

Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO), vowed to win the upcoming parliamentary election, aiming for the party’s first historic victory. Despite maintaining a lead in polls for over a year due to public discontent over immigration and economic issues, the race has tightened, with Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s conservative Austrian People’s Party (OVP) closing the gap.

Kickl’s populist rhetoric contrasts with Nehammer’s appeal as a stable statesman, with the FPO focusing on strict immigration measures, including a “Fortress Austria” policy. Both parties may need a coalition to govern, with possible options including an FPO-OVP partnership or a broader alliance involving the Social Democrats.

Source : CGTN