Austria Freedom Party's election victory pleases Europe's right-wing parties

The European right continued making gains Sunday as Austria's Freedom Party (FPO) won a parliamentary election victory. 

The victory was demoralizing to many on the left. Politico wrote that “the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) stormed to victory, marking the first time since World War II that a party rooted in Nazi ideology has prevailed in a national ballot.”

Reuters wrote, “Led by Herbert Kickl, who capitalized on a misfiring economy and concerns that Austria has taken in people faster than it can integrate them, the FPO won around 29% of the vote, a record result that may give it a platform to lead the next government.” It said he is “loathed by other party leaders” who are looking for alternatives to an FPO-led government. 

But many in the growing movement across Europe are pleased with the results and argue that their movement has nothing to do with Nazi ideology, but rather is fueled by opposition to the mass migration into Europe mainly from the Middle East and Africa that has taken place over the past decade or so.

RadioGenoa tweeted that "Austria's Freedom Party (FPO) won Sunday's general election with 30% of vote. European patriots are waking up everywhere. Europe belongs to Europeans."

France’s Marine Le Pen said on X: "After the Italian, Dutch and French elections, this tidal wave which supports the defense of national interests, the safeguarding of identities and the resurrection of sovereignties, confirms the triumph of the people everywhere." 

Geert Wilders, whose PVV party leads the Dutch government, reacted to the FPO victory on X by saying: "We are winning! Times are changing! Identity, sovereignty, freedom and no more illegal immigration/asylum is what tens of millions of Europeans long for!"

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini of the co-ruling League party called the Austrian vote "a historic day in the name of change."

"To those who speak of the 'extreme right,' let us remind them that in Vienna (as in almost all of Europe) there is only the desire for change by putting the values of work, family and security back at the center," he added.