World, Europe

Center-right wins, but far-right surges in Austria vote

Conservative leader Sebastian Kurz might seek coalition with far-right Freedom Party to secure majority in parliament

15.10.2017 - Update : 16.10.2017
Center-right wins, but far-right surges in Austria vote

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN

The conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) has won Sunday’s parliamentary election, but fell short of an absolute majority in parliament, paving the way for a right-wing coalition government in the country. 

Led by 31-year-old Sebastian Kurz, the center-right OVP won a clear victory over their rival Social Democrats, capturing 31.6 percent of the vote, up from 24 percent four years ago. 

Chancellor Christian Kern’s Social Democratic Party (SPO) managed to secure second place after a neck-and-neck race with the far-right Freedom Party, or FPO. 

Public broadcaster ORF’s projections showed the SPO at 26.9 percent, while the FPO was projected to get 26 percent. 

Kurz said on Sunday night that he was open to talks with all parties that entered parliament on forming a coalition government. 

He did not rule out a coalition with the far-right FPO, which used anti-immigrant and especially anti-Muslim rhetoric during the election campaign. 

An ORF opinion poll said 40 percent of OVP voters favor a coalition government with the FPO, while only 18 percent support a coalition with the Social Democrats. 

Kurz and his Austrian People's Party also took a harsher tone on issues related to migration and Islam during the campaign, sparking criticisms that the OVP was drifting into right-wing populism in the hope of attracting far-right voters.

The offical results of Austria’s elections are expected to be announced on Thursday after mail-in votes are counted.

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
Related topics
Bu haberi paylaşın