The west is moving to the right. Although Austria got lucky, the overall trends are disconcerting.
Don't fuck with the middle class.
I only see the ÖVP losing by a large margin.
Austria needs a pretty strong center-right party to pick the pieces of ÖVP and avoid those going to FPÖ. And generally needs parties with some balls who are able to talk about the hot topics (even when they think they hold an unpopular opinion) and not let FPÖ do all the talk.
Alexander Van der Bellen said:"I've experienced how Austria rose from the ruins of World War Two, caused by the madness of nationalism."
So glad. The domino effect of populist far-right governments in western Europe is a very real risk. So far it's remained isolated to more central / eastern Europe.
It's pretty dominant in Denmark, Holland, France, Norway, Sweden, so it's not an isolated phenomenon to central and eastern EU.
The fact that almost 50% of people voted for Hofer is a reminder that we Europeans have no right to mock America for possibly electing Donald Trump. Austria almost did elect a Trump-like figure. I still have little faith in human beings after this though.
The fact that almost 50% of people voted for Hofer is a reminder that we Europeans have no right to mock America for possibly electing Donald Trump. Austria almost did elect a Trump-like figure. I still have little faith in human beings after this though.
Austria needs strong centrist options in general.
Here's hoping that several center-aligned politicians sense the change in wind and use this opportunity. The election in 2 years is going to be the staging ground for Austria's new political landscape, since ÖVP and potentially SPÖ if their new cabinet doesn't work shit out, are going to die off.
There's a LOT of SPÖ, ÖVP and even FPÖ voters that a proper centrist party could attract. The FPÖ is only so strong because they're luring in all the centrists that don't want to vote for SPÖVP, and the only other options are Greens and Neos, decidedly left parties. Hell if I had the funds, I'd probably go and make a centrist party, myself. There is no better opportunity than now.
He might be right winged but he is an actual politician and not just some clown.
Trumps equivalent in this election was Lugner and he got about 10 percent of the votes.
The fact that almost 50% of people voted for Hofer is a reminder that we Europeans have no right to mock America for possibly electing Donald Trump. Austria almost did elect a Trump-like figure. I still have little faith in human beings after this though.
lol are you serios? Trump is on another level.
Truth of the matter is that the president in Austria has jack shit powers.
With Hofer as president nothing would have changed. He would have crumbled, there was no way he could satisfy his voters as the president has way too little power. People would realize that this party is not the wunderkind they were hoping for and maybe would not return to this party come next election.
Now with VdB as president(a former communist) I would be hard pressed to find him not pushing his leftist agenda even with his little presidential powers.
So those people who voted for Hofer feel more compelled to vote that party next election, which is far more important in terms of political power.
Idk if that was such a smart move today, to cast the vote only to prevent 1 candidate.
So with Hofer nothing would have changed but VdB can push his leftist agenda? Lol. I guess the president powers are personalized.
Of course Hofer would push his agenda as well but he can't do much, just like VdB, but the people who voted for Hofer would see that he falls short on his promises and maybe would not return next time. Next time is far more important in terms of political power.
This is the first time I heard van der Bellen used to be a communist. Can you please give me a source for that? Because the only thing I know was that his family fled the Soviet regime when Estonia was annexed.
Of course Hofer would push his agenda as well but he can't do much, just like VdB, but the people who voted for Hofer would see that he falls short on his promises and maybe would not return next time. Next time is far more important in terms of political power.