Israel Watches as Far-Right Freedom Party Tasked with Forming Austrian Government

In a historic political shift, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has asked the far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPO) to form a coalition government. This marks the first time since World War II that a far-right party has been tasked with such a responsibility. The move comes after a centrist coalition bid failed unexpectedly over the weekend, leaving few alternatives for the president.

The decision represents a dramatic reversal for Van der Bellen, a former leader of Austria's left-wing Greens, who has long been critical of the FPO. Known for its eurosceptic and Russia-friendly positions, the FPO won 29% of the vote in the September parliamentary elections, making it Austria’s second-largest party. However, the FPO’s controversial past—its historical ties to far-right ideologies, including its association with figures who have made antisemitic statements—has raised concerns, both domestically and internationally.

President Van der Bellen, who had initially avoided giving the FPO the mandate to form a government, faced limited options after the failure of centrist talks. After meeting with FPO leader Herbert Kickl, Van der Bellen agreed to give the party a chance to form a government, signaling the growing influence of far-right politics in Austria.

#Herbert Kickl, the leader of the FPO, has styled himself as the "Volkskanzler" (People’s Chancellor), a title reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s use of the term in the 1930s. His ties to far-right groups have sparked widespread protests, particularly among Jewish and left-wing activists. As Kickl left his meeting with the president, demonstrators gathered in the streets of Vienna, chanting "Nazis out" and waving banners reading "We don’t want a right-wing extremist Austria."

The tensions surrounding the FPO’s potential rise to power have not gone unnoticed internationally, especially in Israel, where officials are closely monitoring the developments. The FPO's past actions, including extreme statements and connections to groups with controversial views, have strained Austria’s relationship with Israel in the past. However, there are indications that Israel is taking a wait-and-see approach rather than acting precipitously.

Despite the FPO’s strong showing in the elections, political analysts remain divided on whether Kickl will be able to successfully form a government. Negotiations between the FPO and Austria's conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) are likely, though some analysts suggest that another election could be a more likely outcome if talks falter.

Austria’s Relationship with Israel

Although the FPO has a contentious history with Israel, especially during its coalition years under Jörg Haider, recent statements have suggested that the party’s attitude toward Israel has softened. Martin Engelberg, a former Austrian MP, emphasized that relations between Austria and Israel improved during the FPO’s time in government, despite the controversies. However, Israeli officials have shown caution, taking a wait-and-see approach as Austria navigates its current political landscape.

Given the party's complex history and the protests surrounding its potential leadership, Israel will likely tread carefully, awaiting further clarity on Austria's political future.