The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) is set to win national elections this month, according to polling which shows them with a strong lead approximately three weeks before voters cast their ballots. The party, known for its anti-immigration, pro-peace, and socialistic blend of politics, has been leading in the polls since 2022.
According to a poll from the Lazarsfeld Society on behalf of oe24, the party has 27 percent of the vote, with the center-right ÖVP in second place with 23 percent. National elections will be held on Sept. 29.
In theory, the two parties, which have held a coalition government in the past, would have enough votes to form a government, but bad blood between the two may prevent such a coalition.
For one, the ÖVP famously broke up their previous coalition after the FPÖ was caught up in the Ibiza scandal. However since then, the FPÖ has made the ÖVP one of their top political targets, noting the party is in an alliance with the Greens, has overseen a huge surge in illegal migration, and has taken on a more pro-war stance than the FPÖ finds acceptable. Furthermore, the ÖVP would no longer be in a coalition where the FPÖ is the junior partner. In fact, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl would potentially be chancellor if such a coalition were to come to pass. So far, the ÖVP has ruled out such a coalition.
The poll also shows the SPÖ is at 20 percent, the Neos are at 12 percent, and the Greens are at 8 percent. The communist KPÖ is at 3 percent and the Beer Party is at 4 percent. Both parties must secure a minimum of 4 percent in order to gain seats in parliament.
The ÖVP has seen the steepest drop in support, winning 37 percent of the vote in the last election, which saw the FPÖ only receive 16 percent.
