Thousands Protest in Vienna Against Potential Far-Right Coalition

Around 25,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Vienna on Thursday evening, protesting against the possibility of Austria’s center-right People’s Party (ÖVP) forming a coalition with the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). The protest, which began at the University of Vienna and concluded in front of the Austrian parliament, was organized to send a clear message to all political parties, especially the ÖVP, urging them not to collaborate with the FPÖ.

The FPÖ secured 29% of the vote in Sunday’s national elections, marking the first time in its history that the party has emerged as the top vote-getter. Running on a platform largely centered on anti-immigration policies, euroscepticism, and pro-Kremlin sentiments, the FPÖ now faces the challenge of forming a coalition government, as it did not secure an outright majority. A coalition with another party would allow the FPÖ to lead Austria for the first time since World War II.

The prospect of a far-right-led government has sparked alarm among Austria’s other political parties, including the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), the Green Party, and the liberal NEOS, all of which have publicly ruled out working with the FPÖ. The ÖVP, which garnered 26% of the vote, has positioned itself as a potential kingmaker in the coalition talks. However, the party has stated that it would only consider working with the FPÖ on the condition that its leader, Herbert Kickl, is not part of the new government.

Kickl, a polarizing figure in Austrian politics, has insisted he would take a leadership role in any future government. He has also referred to himself as the “Volkskanzler” or “chancellor for the people,” a term historically associated with Nazi propaganda to describe Adolf Hitler. This rhetoric has further fueled opposition to the FPÖ and its potential coalition.

Thursday’s protest echoed the demonstrations held in 2000, when similar rallies broke out in opposition to an ÖVP-FPÖ coalition. Protesters carried signs reading “it’s Thursday again,” drawing parallels to the previous protests.

Austria’s President, Alexander Van der Bellen, is set to open talks with party leaders on Friday, starting with Kickl. While the president typically invites the leader of the majority party to form the government, he has stated that he is not obligated to offer the task to the FPÖ and will carefully consider all options.

The outcome of these coalition talks remains uncertain, but the protests underscore the deep concerns many Austrians have about the potential return of the far-right to power.