The Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) has won the regional elections in Styria for the first time, becoming the victor in the country’s second-largest federal state.
According to the results of the election held on November 24, FPÖ secured more than 34% of the votes, taking first place. The Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) came second with 26.8%. The Social Democrats (SPÖ), with 21.4%, suffered a record defeat. The Greens also made it into the regional parliament with 6.2%, followed by the liberals Neos with 5.9% and the Communists, who were supported by 4.4% of voters.
This is the second time right-wing parties have won in regional elections, following the elections in Carinthia. To form a majority and create a regional government, FPÖ will need to gain support from other political parties.
The election results will also impact the distribution of mandates in the Federal Council, the upper chamber of the Austrian Parliament, where Styria has nine representatives. The right-wing parties will receive two seats, while the Greens and the Austrian People’s Party will lose one seat each. As a result, the Austrian People’s Party will remain the largest faction with 24 seats, the Social Democrats will have 18 seats, the right-wing parties will have 13, the Greens will have 4, and the liberals will have 1.
In September, the Austrian Freedom Party won the national elections for the first time in the country’s history, securing about 29% of the vote. However, due to the party’s controversial reputation, it was unable to form a coalition with other political forces.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has tasked the leader of the Austrian People’s Party, Chancellor Karl Nehammer, with forming a new government.
