More than 6.3 million people are voting today in Austria’s general election. The winner of the election will not gain an absolute majority, but will have the right to lead a coalition government.
The first polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (05:00 GMT) or slightly earlier. Forecasts will be available minutes after polls close at 7 p.m. (17:00 GMT) this evening, with results to be summarised in the following hours.
The Freedom Party (FPÖ) was seeking its first general election victory in a tight contest with the ruling Conservatives over voter concerns about immigration, inflation, Ukraine and other issues after recent successes for nationally orientated parties elsewhere in Europe.
The party has been leading in opinion polls for months, but its lead over the ruling Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) has shrunk to almost nothing. The party criticises Islam and promises to tighten rules for asylum seekers. The party won the national election for the first time in June, beating the ÖVP by less than a percentage point. Herbert Kickl has prospered as an opposition activist, but has at times been uncomfortable trying to soften his tone to boost his leadership appeal.
On the other hand, Chancellor Karl Nehammer positions himself as a statesman and portrays his rival as a threat. The ÖVP also backs tougher immigration rules and tax cuts, being the only party open to forming a coalition with a nationally orientated party. In addition, Nehammer’s actions in the wake of severe flooding in Austria this month likely helped him regain support.
No victory is guaranteed as recent polls point to a close race. They put support for the Freedom Party at 27 per cent, Chancellor Nehammer’s conservative Austrian People’s Party at 25 per cent and the centre-left Social Democrats at 21 per cent.
