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.
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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.
Neoliberalism (what Regean spearheaded) crushes the common man and its widespread embrace has deprived people of the ability to hope for stuff like a house or the ability to afford a family. People are struggling and want change - centrists are failing to deliver that.
One thing to observe is that in areas where true left wing governments hold sway (like Spain) they’re thriving. But yeah, disappointing centrists marauding as liberals (like Starmer) underdeliver and then get extremist right wingers elected.