### Austria's Political Landscape Shaken by Far-Right Electoral Triumph

Austria's main political factions are gearing up for intense negotiations to form a new government, as the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) secures a significant victory in the recent general elections. This unprecedented win raises alarms about the future of the country's democracy, following a strong voter backlash against centrist parties due to concerns over migration and inflation.

The FPÖ, known for its anti-Islam stance and Kremlin-friendly policies, achieved its best result since its inception post-World War II, securing just over 29% of the vote. This outcome surpassed expectations and placed the FPÖ ahead of the ruling centre-right People's Party (ÖVP) by nearly three percentage points.

Centre-left opposition, represented by the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), suffered its worst-ever performance with only 21% of the vote, while the Greens, as junior partners in the government, garnered a mere 8%. Exit polls highlighted that the FPÖ's 13-point leap since the 2019 parliamentary elections was fueled by substantial support from younger voters. Specifically, 27% of voters under 34 and 37% of those between 35 and 59 supported the FPÖ, driven by frustrations over the cost of living and immigration.

The FPÖ also capitalized on lingering resentment over Austria's stringent Covid-19 measures. However, among voters over 60, the FPÖ received 22%, trailing the ÖVP’s 38% and the SPÖ's 24%.

This election result has sparked criticism and concern from various quarters about Austria's historical memory and democratic future. The International Auschwitz Committee, representing Holocaust survivors from 19 countries, described the election as ushering in an "alarming new chapter" for Austria. Vice-president Christoph Heubner expressed hope that democratic forces in the country would resist historical amnesia and right-wing extremism for the benefit of Austria and Europe.

Benjamin Nägele, general secretary of the Jewish Community of Vienna, described the results as "shocking but unfortunately not surprising," emphasizing the FPÖ's problematic roots and its continuity with nationalist and National Socialist ideologies.

Despite its success, the FPÖ faces challenges in forming a government, as it did not achieve an outright majority. Smaller parties have refused to cooperate with the FPÖ, and the ÖVP has deemed a government led by FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl unacceptable.

Kickl, known for his controversial speeches and hardline positions on immigration and Russia, has urged the ÖVP to reconsider its stance. However, protests against the FPÖ, with slogans like "Nazis out" and "Never Kickl," have already erupted outside the parliament building in Vienna.

Should the ÖVP, SPÖ, and Greens or Neos form a coalition to exclude the FPÖ, it could reinforce the FPÖ's narrative of being an outsider. Vedran Džihić, a senior researcher at the Austrian Institute for International Affairs, warned that such a coalition might feed into the FPÖ's rhetoric, potentially aiding its future growth. Nonetheless, he stressed that allowing the far-right into power poses a greater threat to democracy and the rule of law.

As Austria stands at a crossroads, the overwhelming desire to protect democracy among 71% of voters offers a glimmer of hope for the country's future.