Austrians vote on Sunday in a general election that could see the far-right opposition Freedom Party (FPÖ) top the polls for the first time.

Five years ago, the party crashed out of a coalition government with the conservative People’s Party because of a corruption scandal dubbed Ibiza-gate.

But now, led by Herbert Kickl, the FPÖ is within reach of a historic victory. It narrowly leads the ruling conservatives in the opinion polls, and the opposition Social Democrats are in third place.

The FPÖ has successfully tapped into concerns about migration, rising inflation, the war in Ukraine and anger over the way the Covid pandemic was handled, and for months has been hovering around 27% in the polls, up to two points ahead of the conservative Österreichische Volkspartei (ÖVP) or Austrian People’s Party, which is predicting a photo finish.

  • Flying SquidM
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    593 months ago

    I wish there were some way to explain to low-information people that far-right economic policies do not work.

    • @[email protected]
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      203 months ago

      There is - socialist economic policies that do work.

      The problem is that whenever people ask for those they get centrist neoliberal economic policies.

      • @acosmichippo
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        3 months ago

        because you can’t let the other people have benefits too! hence “national socialism”.

        • @[email protected]
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          53 months ago

          I know you’re being sarcastic but have people really become so fucking self interested that they’ve lost sight of the fact that the people around you doing well is of benefit to you? It feels fucking insane how demonized it is to want your neighbors to have a fair shot at life as well