An Overview of Political Parties’ Immigration Policies – Reuters

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) achieved a significant victory in parliamentary elections, capitalizing on widespread voter concerns regarding immigration levels. As it seeks to form a government, the FPO’s most probable coalition partner is the conservative Austrian People’s Party (OVP), which also advocates for stricter immigration control.

All major parties addressed the immigration issue during their campaigns, each presenting distinct proposals:

FREEDOM PARTY (FPO)
The FPO’s manifesto outlines a stringent approach to immigration, stating:

• All migrants who enter Austria illegally should be removed, and strict criteria for legal immigration should be enforced.
• Asylum applications should not be accepted from individuals who have traversed just a safe country, employing "pushbacks" at borders.
• Asylum status should be temporary, with refugees losing their right to stay once their home countries are deemed safe.
• The party advocates against asylum becoming a pathway to citizenship and calls for thorough checks on the nationality of naturalized citizens.
• The FPO opposes the European Union’s Pact on Migration and Asylum to pressure the EU for stronger border enforcement.

AUSTRIAN PEOPLE’S PARTY (OVP)
The OVP emphasizes the need to secure EU borders to combat illegal immigration, asserting:

• There should be deportations for asylum seekers to their home countries to prevent them from choosing where to settle.
• The establishment of processing centers outside the EU for asylum applications is proposed.
• The OVP suggests utilizing the valuables of asylum seekers to help with their integration costs.
• Full social benefit entitlements for migrants should be dependent on at least five years of residence, or less if they integrate quickly.

SOCIAL DEMOCRATS (SPO)
The left-leaning SPO seeks:

• A fair distribution of asylum seekers throughout EU member states to reduce the number of applications in Austria by 75%.
• The creation of processing centers for asylum applications outside the EU.
• Provision for sending asylum seekers, whose applications have been denied and who cannot be returned to their countries, to secure third countries.
• Initiatives to assist in the immediate integration of asylum seekers, including providing German lessons from their arrival.

NEW AUSTRIA (NEOS)
Positioning itself as a centrist and pro-European party, NEOS calls for:

• Safe and legal pathways for refugees into Austria.
• The implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact, along with a harmonized asylum procedure across EU states.
• Foreign aid should be tied to agreements allowing the return of unsuccessful asylum seekers.
• Allowing dual citizenship for Austrians.

THE GREENS
In coalition with the OVP since 2020, the Green Party argues that the Austrian economy and social security systems benefit from migration. Their positions include:

• Permitting asylum seekers to stay if they successfully integrate and work in sectors facing labor shortages.
• The expulsion of unsuccessful asylum seekers and refugees who commit serious crimes, provided it does not violate human rights.
• The importance of secure borders while establishing legal routes for refugees into Austria.
• Advocacy for the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum to ensure protection for all individuals in need.

These diverse proposals reflect the varying perspectives on immigration and asylum in Austria, as the nation grapples with its policies in the wake of the recent elections.