Thousands March in Vienna Against Far Right Ahead of Coalition Talks, Reports Reuters

Thousands of protesters gathered in Vienna on Thursday to call on Austria’s political parties, especially the ruling conservatives, to refrain from forming a government with the far-right Freedom Party (FPO). This comes after the FPO secured its first general election victory on Sunday, obtaining 29% of the vote.

This historic success marks a significant moment for the Eurosceptic, Russia-aligned party, which was established in the 1950s by a leader with ties to the Nazi regime. However, lacking an absolute majority, the FPO will need to establish a coalition to govern.

The conservative People’s Party (OVP) has indicated a willingness to form an alliance, but they have made it clear that FPO leader Herbert Kickl cannot be part of the government. The FPO, however, insists that he should be included.

Marty Huber, one of the protest organizers, emphasized the need for caution, urging the OVP not to repeat past alliances with the FPO, which has previously held junior partner status in two coalition governments. In the recent election, the OVP finished just behind the FPO.

The march concluded outside the parliament building, following a route through the city where attendees waved rainbow flags and held signs proclaiming slogans such as “Protect democracy.”

President Alexander Van der Bellen, responsible for guiding coalition talks, is set to meet with leaders of all parliamentary parties, beginning with Kickl. He has encouraged discussions among the various parties to explore potential coalitions.

The OVP currently holds a critical position, as partnering with the third-place Social Democrats and a smaller party like the liberal Neos would grant them a strong majority.