The election result in the Austrian state of Burgenland on Sunday will have an impact far beyond the region, with Vienna and Austria’s federal government watching closely to what happens next.

Austria's centrist parties may come to their senses and try a second round of coalition talks, or form a minority government. And even if Kickl does prevail, that doesn't mean he'll succeed. He'll soon realise governing is far harder than campaigning.

Thousands of people participated this Thursday in a demonstration in Vienna against the formation of a government between conservatives and far-right parties. Camera: MAX SLOVENCIK. [Restrictions: Spain,

New Year's Eve event of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPOE) near Vienna with the participation of its chairman Herbert Kickl. Camera: MAX SLOVENCIK. FOOTAGE OF THE NEW YEAR'S RECEPTION OF THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION PARTY (CDU) NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA.

Though Vienna Blood primarily takes place in the titular Austrian city, the production has ventured all throughout Europe.

Talks to form a coalition government led by Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) will begin on Friday, the party said on Thursday, as thousands protested in Vienna against the prospect of the country's first FPO-led government.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. The leader of Austria’s Freedom Party, Herbert Kickl, addresses a news conference, in Vienna, Austria ...

ECB rate-setter also warns that inflation risks are on the rise and that a January rate cut is not a done deal.

Even so, according to polls, the FPÖ will do still better if snap elections are held. Kronen Zeitung, Austria’s largest-circulation tabloid, published a poll on January 5th that put the FPÖ at 37% of the vote, which would give them around 40% of the seats in parliament. That should focus the minds of the ÖVP ’s negotiators. ■

Mr Kickl’s political hero is Viktor Orban, Hungary’s autocratic leader. But unlike Hungarian voters who first voted Mr Orban in, few Austrian voters seem enamoured with Mr Kickl. Only 2% of FPÖ voters in September said they voted for the party because of Mr Kickl, while 45% said they did so because of its policies.

He is so abrasive that he has one of Austria's lowest personal approval ratings, but far-right chief Herbert Kickl's strategic cunning helped his party to its first ever national election win and he now has a chance to become its first chancellor.

The Freedom Party and its leader, Herbert Kickl, have steadily built support by demonizing immigrants, while entering Austria’s political mainstream.