Austria recently held a general election in which the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) secured victory. Founded by former Nazis after World War II, the party is known for its anti-migration stance and pro-Kremlin views. This victory could make Austria the latest EU member state to have a far-right party in power. The rise of the far-right in Austria is part of a larger trend in the EU, with radical right parties already in power in Hungary and part of coalition governments in countries like Italy, The Netherlands, Finland, Czechia, and Croatia. The FPÖ’s victory could influence the EU as a whole, pushing for tighter migration policies and potentially delaying the implementation of the Green Deal.
Although the FPÖ is not able to govern by itself and would need to form a coalition with other parties, the party’s victory is significant. The role Austria plays in the European arena will depend on who becomes chancellor and whether the FPÖ participates in the government. While the far right is gaining ground in various EU member states, such as France and Germany, their impact on policy-making at the European level may not be immediate. The European project is structured in a way that requires building multiple majorities for policy decisions, meaning that shifts to the right may not have an immediate impact on European policy-making.
The rise of far-right parties across Europe poses a challenge to the European Commission and the European Parliament. While these parties may lack policy expertise, they are likely to push for more conservative policies. The polarization of the European Parliament and the agenda-setting of the European Commission could be influenced by the presence of far-right voices. However, the overall functioning of the EU’s legislative procedures is unlikely to change drastically in the short term, meaning that policy decisions will continue to be made through the ordinary legislative process.
Far-right forces in the EU are likely to advocate for tighter migration policies and may push for the delay of initiatives like the Green Deal. However, their stance on Russia varies within different far-right parties. The influence of the FPÖ’s victory at the European level could lead to a more polarized European Parliament and a shift in the topics put on the agenda by the European Commission. While the European project is expected to continue as before, the presence of far-right voices in various member states could lead to changes in the tone and direction of EU policy-making in the long run.
