Now it’s official: the right-wing populists have won the parliamentary elections in Austria for the first time with 29.2 percent. Previous ruling parties have lost. However, they reject cooperation with FPÖ leader Kickl.

Austria voted, but that doesn’t mean there’s a new government. The old ÖVP-Green alliance will offer its resignation, which Austria’s federal president Alexander von der Bellen will accept – while asking current chancellor Karl Nehhammer to continue with his old government until a new one is formed in the National Council. , the Austrian parliament found a presidential majority. So: a new “stable” coalition, according to the federal leader.

Election evening is worrying for many

This can take much longer, the Austrian record for this is around six months. But the man at the Hofburg said the time was “time well spent.” After the election results didn’t have much chance of being swayed, he came, as always, through the red-walled wallpaper door at the Hofburg – and spoke words of reassurance. Many are worried on election night.

For the first time in the republic’s history, the right-wing FPÖ is the strongest party in the Austrian parliament, just shy of 30 percent, after a big gain of 13 percentage points. In addition, the conservative ÖVP achieved only 26.5 percent, after losing the biggest vote in ÖVP history: minus 11 percentage points compared to the last National Council election.

A deep fall, says the “bitter” ÖVP leader and chancellor Nehammer, but he said the party took only 21 percent after the fall of ÖVP young star Sebastian Kurz. Even worse: the ÖVP man will now be chancellor, perhaps for a very long time.

Between shock and joy

The cheers at the FPÖ election party were huge and loud when the blue FPÖ column grew significantly beyond the ÖVP in the first projection. In contrast, with a few exceptions, it was much quieter in other party locations. Austria was momentarily in shock – or with its hands raised in celebration.

A one-way election, so the high turnout was almost 80 percent – ​​not surprising. Around 30 percent for the FPÖ, that is the result of Sunday questions for the ÖVP almost all year round. Just before the election, it was desirable that Nehhammer’s deliberately reserved appearance as an experienced crisis president in the flood zone would have shifted something in favor of the FPÖ.

Giggle: “Power Word” From Voters

The voter spoke a “word of power”, the FPÖ leader said during the election cycle, in a calm tone that was a stark contrast to his election rallies and beer tent appearances. Let him extend his hand, be ready to rule, and let the negotiations begin.

Herbert Giggle’s problem: No one wants to take his outstretched hand. No one from other parties wanted to work with him. “Him or me” is how Nehhammer fought during the election year, and he’s sticking to it on election night – and he’s convinced he’s also united his ÖVP behind him. One thing is clear for all the other parliamentary parties: not with Kickle, not even with his FPÖ.

The SPÖ is a “firewall” against the FPÖ.

A small, subtle difference: cooperation with the FPÖ – without a giggle – the conservative People’s Party deliberately leaves this door open. The overlap is already large: in economic policy, in migration issues. And the election result also moves ÖVP man Nehammer, who signals that he understands.

The best contact person for this on Giggle is the “concerns that people find themselves in,” which is now number one, says Nehammer, which he takes “very seriously.” But there are fundamental differences in how these problems should be addressed politically. If his ÖVP plays along, the ÖVP leader does not have to form an alliance with the FPÖ. Doesn’t matter if Kickl is there or not.

During the election campaign, the SPÖ positioned itself as a “firewall” against the FPÖ. That would bring it to 21 percent, which is historically low, but might be enough. And then the liberal NEOs, small winners in this election, nine percent — one percent more than before. “You don’t want to be in government,” said party leader Pete Meinl-Reisinger, smiling amiably in the face of the election winner’s giggle because “I don’t think it’s good for our country.”

Respect for the “foundational pillars of liberal democracy”.

The federal president again defined for everyone what was good for Austria: a new chancellor must have his convictions – and he must (again, nothing is mentioned about one) respect “the foundational pillars of our liberal democracy”: “rule of law, separation of powers, human and minority rights, Free Media and EU Membership.”

If in doubt, this can also be used against a candidate giggle.