Austrians vote as far-right party targets historic victory

Election fields were dominated by voters' concerns about the economy and migration.

The FPO chaired the public polls for months, but its superiority over the conservative party (OVP) has almost completely diminished, after Chancellor Carl Nehammer presented himself as a statesman and described his rival, FPO leader Herbert Kickl, as a dangerous and toxic man.

Whoever wins this election will not win the majority in Parliament, according to polls, but will enjoy the right to lead the government coalition.

The first polling stations opened at 7:00 and close at 5:00.

The preliminary results are expected to be made public shortly after the vote is closed.

The question is the Chancellor will be named by the ranks of FPO”, said Catherine Stainer-Haemmerle, political science professor at Carinthia University.

If that happens, then I must say that Austria's role in the European Union will be completely different. Kickl has often said that [the prime minister of Hungary] Victor Orban is an example to follow for him, and he will take that position”, she added.

The FPO's victory would make Austria the latest country in the EU to mark increased support for the extreme right, behind countries like the Netherlands, France and Germany.

The FPO is Eurosceptic and friendly to Russia, as well as critical of Islam, and has pledged strict rules against asylum seekers.

It beat OVP for less than one percent in the European Parliament elections in Austria last June.

The OVP, which as the FPO supports stricter rules for immigrants, is the only party open to coalition with the far-right party.

However, Nehammer says his party will not join a government of which Kickl is also part. / REL/