Far right wins close Austria election, a boost for Putin
NBCSEP 2024
Austria's Freedom Party Wins General Election
Above: Herbert Kickl (C) is celebrated by supporters at the party's election event after exit poll numbers were announced on Sept. 29, 2024. Image copyright: Alex Halada/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
Voters have had their say in Austria, and they have chosen the FPÖ. Mainstream parties, however, are set to form a grand coalition so as to leave the most popular party out of government, disregarding the people's will. They may well claim that the FPÖ is a threat to democracy, but it's the establishment suppressing democracy in the nation.
Left narrative
This was the most critical election in Europe this year, and the results are pretty concerning, as the neofascist FPÖ won most seats in parliament. If the FPÖ agrees to build a coalition government with its longtime partner ÖVP, Austria would be in dire straits under far-right leadership. Hopefully, Kickl will be rejected as chancellor.