Polls show far-right party in lead ahead of Austria’s parliamentary elections

By Timo Kirez

GENEVA (AA) – The far-right, xenophobic Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) has taken the lead ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections, according to the latest poll.

The poll, conducted by the Institute for Demoscopy and Data Analysis on Sept. 23, showed the FPO ahead with 27%, followed by the ruling Austrian People's Party (OVP), with 25%.

In third place is the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) with 21%. The Greens and the New Austria and Liberal Forum Party (NEOS) follow in fourth place with 9%.

According to a survey published in May of this year on the statistics website Statista.com, the three most important issues in the parliamentary elections are social security (65%), asylum/migration (57%) and climate/environmental protection (38%).

The FPO stands for a particularly tough asylum and migration policy and is constantly raising this issue.

The party was founded in 1956 by Anton Reinthaller, a former Nazi Party member and SS officer.

The FPO became the strongest force in Austria in this year's European Parliament elections. It was the first time since the Second World War that an extreme right-wing party came first in an election.

The conservative OVP, which is currently in the government together with the Greens under its leading candidate, Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer, on the other hand, focuses on “performance, family and security” according to its election program.

The program is an “offer to the middle,” as the OVP writes in its election manifesto.

“We want to reward performance, generate growth and increase prosperity,” Nehammer said during the presentation of the program at a press conference on Sept. 5.

However, the OVP is also calling for a tougher migration policy. In January of this year, for example, the party demanded that asylum seekers' cash be confiscated upon entry when presenting its “Vision for Austria.”

The OVP also called for restrictions on the movement of asylum seekers in Austria and the withdrawal of asylum if they are on vacation in their home country.

The social democratic SPO focuses on social justice. In its election manifesto, the party calls for the introduction of a 32-hour work week and wage increases for employees, among other things.

The liberal NEOS party in its election manifesto is primarily calling for the economy to be strengthened and bureaucracy to be reduced. They also want to take stronger action against corruption by creating more transparency.

According to their statements, the Greens stand above all for tolerance, individual freedom and respect for different lifestyles as well as a link to the social liberal tradition and socialist utopia of justice and solidarity.