Austria's Lockdown: A Strict Response To Covid-19

Austria did indeed impose lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country's first case of COVID-19 was detected on February 25, 2020, and the country went into lockdown in mid-March. The pandemic, along with the war in Ukraine, also triggered an energy and inflation crisis in the country. In addition to lockdown measures, Austria also imposed vaccine mandates, which were met with significant opposition. The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) capitalised on the resentment felt by the populace towards these mandates and gained electoral support. The party, led by Herbert Kickl, has called for the suspension of the right to asylum and the remigration of uninvited foreigners to create a fortress Austria.

Austrian lockdown protests

On 29 September 2024, Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ) won the country's legislative elections with 28.85% of the vote. The party, which is led by Herbert Kickl, has been described as far-right.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Kickl attended anti-lockdown protests and refused to condemn those who likened lockdown measures to the Holocaust, despite Austria's strict laws against antisemitism. He also called Israel's mass vaccination campaign "health apartheid".

In March 2023, Kickl and other FPÖ members left the Austrian parliament when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the chamber. The party has been critical of Western military aid to Ukraine and has called for an end to sanctions against Russia.

In his closing campaign speech, Kickl claimed that sanctions against Moscow over the war were hurting Austria more than Russia. He also drew criticism for his use of the term "Volkskanzler," or chancellor of the people, which was used by the Nazis to describe Adolf Hitler in the 1930s.

The FPÖ's victory has been attributed to several factors, including rising costs of living and gas prices, socio-economic crisis, and increasing anti-immigrant sentiment. The party has tapped into anxieties around immigration, inflation, and the war in Ukraine.

Following the election, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen encouraged political parties to hold talks with each other and work towards forming a coalition government. However, rivals have stated that they will not work with Kickl, and it is unclear if the FPÖ will be able to secure a partner.

Anti-lockdown far-right leader, Herbert Kickl

Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) emerged as the largest party in the 2024 general elections, winning over 28% of the total votes. The party is led by Herbert Kickl, a former interior minister who was dismissed over the country's Ibiza scandal. Kickl has been described as a far-right politician and has a history of controversial statements and actions. He has called for the suspension of the right to asylum to create "fortress Austria" and has drawn criticism for his use of the term "Volkskanzler," or chancellor of the people, which was used by the Nazis to refer to Adolf Hitler.

Kickl has been an outspoken critic of lockdown measures and vaccination drives implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. He attended anti-lockdown protests and referred to Israel's mass vaccination campaign as "health apartheid". He also refused to condemn those who likened lockdown measures to the Holocaust, despite Austria's strict laws against antisemitism.

As a politician, Kickl has faced accusations of failing to take responsibility as a minister and acting as if he were still in the opposition. He has been criticised for his handling of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism, with opposition politicians accusing him of seeking to undermine the agency's independence and protect right-wing extremist groups close to the FPÖ. He has also been accused of wielding the police for political purposes and lodging legal complaints against individuals and journalists who write negatively about him.

In the 2024 Austrian legislative election, the FPÖ gained a plurality of seats in the National Council. However, no other party in parliament agreed to form a coalition with them or to support Kickl's bid to become Chancellor. This led to President Alexander Van der Bellen asking the outgoing chancellor, Karl Nehammer of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), to form a new government.

Kickl's rise to power can be attributed to tapping into public anxieties around immigration, inflation, and the war in Ukraine. His strong performance reflects a broader European trend of rising popularity for nationalist, anti-immigration parties. However, his ascent has not been without controversy, including allegations of involvement in the 2019 Ibiza Affair, a corruption scandal that brought down the Freedom Party's last coalition government. Despite this, he has helped rebuild the party's reputation and positioned it as a defender of national sovereignty and a critic of the EU.

Austria's economic decline

Austria's economy is a highly developed social market economy, with the country being one of the fourteen richest in the world in terms of GDP per capita. However, Austria's economy has been in decline in recent years, with 2024 projected to be the second consecutive year of recession. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including declining investment, lower exports, and weak private consumption, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the main contributors to Austria's economic decline is the decrease in private consumption, which has remained close to zero despite increasing real wages. High inflation has eroded consumer confidence, leading to a significant increase in the saving rate. Additionally, high interest rates and energy costs have impacted investment, particularly in the construction sector and industry. The construction of dwellings has declined by 18% in 2023 and 2024.

The weak industrial growth and low corporate investment of Austria's main trading partners have also disproportionately affected Austria's industry. Austria's economy is geared towards producing intermediate goods and machinery for export, so when its trading partners experience low corporate investment, it affects Austria's ability to produce and export goods. As a result, Austria's price competitiveness has deteriorated, leading to lower goods exports.

The energy and inflationary crises in Europe, triggered by the war in Ukraine and the international supply side crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, have also contributed to Austria's economic decline. These crises have led to increased costs for businesses and consumers, reducing demand for capital goods and machinery.

The Austrian government has tried to alleviate the effects of these crises through various measures, such as tax reforms, electricity price subsidies, and bonuses to compensate for the cost-of-living crisis. However, these measures have also contributed to the country's budget deficit crunch, with the budget deficit creeping above the 3% target set by the European Union's Maastricht criteria.

In addition to economic factors, Austria's political landscape has also contributed to its economic decline. The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) emerged as the largest party in the 2024 general elections, winning over 28% of the total votes. The FPÖ has tapped into anxieties around immigration, inflation, and the war in Ukraine, and has been critical of Western military aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. The uncertainty around government formation and potential shifts in economic policies have also likely contributed to Austria's economic decline.

COVID-19 fatalities

Austria's first COVID-19 lockdown began on 16 March 2020, with a nationwide stay-at-home order in place. People could only leave their homes for necessary professional activities, essential purchases, assisting others, or for outdoor activities alone or with their household. The lockdown was gradually eased from 15 April, with non-essential shops and schools reopening, and ended on 20 April.

During the first wave of the pandemic, from February to April 2020, Austria recorded an excess mortality rate, defined by significantly higher mortality compared to the previous five years. By 13 March, there were 422 confirmed cases, and the country's first COVID-19 death was recorded on 12 March. As of January 2023, Austria had confirmed a total of 21,661 COVID-19 deaths.

The far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has criticised the Austrian government's handling of the pandemic, including lockdown measures and vaccination drives. The party finished first in the 2024 general election, winning 28% of the vote. Herbert Kickl, the leader of the FPÖ, has drawn criticism for his use of the term "Volkskanzler" (chancellor of the people), which was used by the Nazis to describe Adolf Hitler. During the pandemic, Kickl attended anti-lockdown protests and refused to condemn those who likened lockdown measures to the Holocaust.

Pushback against vaccine mandates

Austria imposed a lockdown in mid-March 2020 after recording its first case of COVID-19 on February 25. The country also implemented a compulsory vaccination programme for all adults, with threats of fines and even prison for those who refused to comply.

However, there was significant pushback against vaccine mandates. One source mentions that conspiracy theories about the lockdown measures and vaccines were rampant, and the government struggled to counter them. The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) capitalised on the resentment toward vaccine mandates to gain electoral support. The proposal to impose a fine on unvaccinated adults—which was quickly shelved—generated significant hostility among Austrians.

Herbert Kickl, the leader of the Freedom Party, refused to condemn those who likened lockdown measures to the Holocaust. He also attended anti-lockdown protests and called Israel's mass vaccination campaign "health apartheid". Kickl's campaign against coronavirus restrictions, such as lockdowns and vaccine mandates, helped revive the party's fortunes after it crashed out of government.

The Freedom Party tapped into anxieties around immigration, inflation, and the war in Ukraine, and its strong performance reflects recent gains for far-right parties across Europe.

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