Far-right FPO victory alarms Turkish community in Austria

By Askin Kiyagan

VIENNA (AA) - The victory of Austria's far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) raises concerns among Turks living in the country.

The FPO won Monday's general election by securing nearly 29% of the vote, sparking worries among the Turkish community in Austria.

This victory of the FPO, a party founded by former Nazis, has not only resonated within Austria but has also drawn attention internationally.

While polls predicted the FPO would lead with about 27%, its 2-point margin over the center-right Austrian People's Party (OVP) has heightened concerns among immigrants, especially Turks.

Turkish citizens, some of whom have lived in Austria for many years or were born and raised there, shared their concerns with Anadolu about the potential negative consequences of the FPO’s win and the challenges it may bring if the party comes to power.

Muhammed Yuksek, who works in hospital administration in Vienna, said the FPO gained significant support through a simple but effective strategy.

He noted that while some party members openly advocate for policies like "reverse migration" and homogenous society, others have attempted to make the party seem more acceptable by downplaying its anti-immigrant stance.

"As a Turk born and raised here, I am genuinely concerned about the far-right party coming out on top in yesterday’s election," Yuksek said.

Noting the FPO’s role as a junior partner in the coalition government from 2017 to 2019, he emphasized that the Islamophobic and exclusionary policies from that period are still fresh in people’s minds.

Yuksek stressed that the impact of the FPO's victory would be felt most acutely by Turks and Muslims.

"This party was founded by Nazis. Even today, some members participate in Nazi events, and they are seen with Nazi symbols in the media. We must remember that they became the leading party by targeting us, the Muslims," he said.

He also pointed out that the rise of the far-right party would negatively affect immigrants from all ethnic and religious backgrounds, adding: "It's clear that this racist party threatens the unity, democracy, and future of this country."

Yuksek noted that individuals with Nazi ties attended the FPO’s victory celebration and mentioned how Herbert Kickl, the party's leader, celebrated alongside the racist Identitarian Movement.

"We have to ask ourselves if this is what they do on day one, what’s coming next?" he warned.

- 55% right-wing voter potential

Turgay Taskiran, a doctor in Vienna, also expressed concern, noting that the far-right party’s historic victory has unsettled the immigrant community.

Taskiran pointed out that Austria has been shifting to the right since the 2015 migration crisis. He noted that the FPO’s 29% share, combined with the OVP’s 26%, pushes the right-wing vote to 55%.

He also recalled that senior FPO figures attended an event where Nazi-era songs were sung two days before the election.

"The FPO’s win will embolden racists. We saw this during the previous OVP-FPO coalition. I predict verbal, if not physical, attacks will increase against people wearing headscarves or those who are black," he said.

Taskiran said no other party seems willing to form a coalition with the FPO. Any coalition government would need to address major societal issues, including immigration, with lasting solutions, he added.

- ‘We’ve already experienced a preview’

Kaddafi Kaya, a Turkish business owner in Vienna, also explained the negative developments during the FPO's time in the coalition from 2017 to 2019.

"We’ve already experienced a preview of this. During that period, laws targeting the Turkish community significantly restricted social life,” he said.

Kaya pointed out that in recent years, both far-right and center-right parties have used populist rhetoric, turning immigrants into political targets.

"For the Turkish and Muslim communities, this sense of exclusion has almost become an immunity. But where this will lead and how dangerous it will become is a serious concern. Many, both young and old, are living in fear," he added.

- Far-right party’s strong performance would affect daily life

Ibrahim Firat, another shopkeeper, expressed concern about how the far-right party’s strong performance would affect the daily lives of ordinary people.

"This will definitely have an impact, as the rhetoric is becoming harsher. Certain deep-seated feelings will likely come to the surface. They might start saying, 'Turks should leave, Afghans shouldn't come.' And if they can't find anything else, they'll target political Islam to keep the issue alive. The far-right offers nothing but fear and anxiety," Firat said.

He also mentioned that the FPO had recently faced serious corruption allegations, making it surprising that they still garnered such high support.

Firat said irregular migration and the cost of living caused by the war in Ukraine played a decisive role in this trend. In times of economic crises, people tend to lean toward far-right rhetoric, and support for right-wing parties often increases in such periods, he added.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul