Lockdown In Austria: What You Need To Know

Austria has been in the news recently due to the rise of its far-right party, the Freedom Party (FPOe), and its leader Herbert Kickl. In January 2025, Kickl was invited to form a government by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, which has sparked protests and concerns about the country's future direction. Kickl and his party have been vocal opponents of COVID-19 restrictions, including lockdowns and vaccine mandates, and their rise in popularity has been attributed partly to this stance. So, while there are no recent reports of a lockdown in Austria, the country is facing a different kind of upheaval due to the potential shift in its political landscape.

Austria's lockdown protests in 2021

Austria has had several lockdowns since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Far-right leader Herbert Kickl addressed an anti-lockdown protest in 2021. He has been criticised for his casual use of Nazi-era terms, his opposition to vaccinations and lockdowns during the pandemic, and his refusal to condemn those who likened lockdown measures to the Holocaust. Kickl has also embraced conspiracy theories, claiming that the de-worming agent ivermectin is an effective treatment for COVID-19.

During the pandemic, Kickl attended anti-lockdown protests and called Israel's mass vaccination campaign "health apartheid". He also refused to condemn those who compared lockdown measures to the Holocaust, despite Austria's strict laws against antisemitism. In an interview with Austrian news outlet ORF, he dismissed claims that those making the comparison were trivialising the Nazi regime.

In 2021, Kickl became the leader of the Freedom Party (FPO), a far-right political party in Austria. The FPO has campaigned on issues such as immigration, inflation, and opposition to COVID-19 restrictions. The party's support for a ""remigration of uninvited foreigners" and a more "homogeneous" nation has drawn criticism for its similarities to Nazi-era ideologies.

In September 2024, the FPO won the national election with 29.2% of the vote, positioning Kickl to potentially become the next chancellor. However, the party would need to form a coalition government to gain a majority. As of January 2025, the FPO was leading negotiations to form a coalition with the centre-right ÖVP. This has sparked protests, with thousands of people taking to the streets of Vienna to voice their opposition to the far-right FPO and its controversial leader, Herbert Kickl.

The rise of the far-right in Austria

Austria's far-right has been steadily gaining ground in recent years, with the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and its leader, Herbert Kickl, at the forefront. The rise of the far-right in Austria is a complex issue with various factors at play, including the normalisation of far-right politics, strategic messaging, and the failure of mainstream parties to effectively counter its growth.

Historical Context

Austria has a history of including far-right parties in governing coalitions, which has contributed to the normalisation of far-right politics over the years. The FPÖ, with its roots in the post-World War II era, has repeatedly been a part of governing coalitions, despite its links to Austria's nationalist-socialist past and its role in the Third Reich.

Mainstream Party Scandals

Scandals and ideological shifts within the more mainstream conservative parties have also paved the way for the rise of the far-right. The centre-right Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), which has led Austria's governments for 15 of the last 25 years, has faced scandals and an ideological shift, making it more challenging to counter the far-right.

Strategic Messaging

Herbert Kickl, the leader of the FPÖ, has effectively utilised strategic messaging to broaden the appeal of his party. The FPÖ's anti-establishment message, criticising immigrants, COVID restrictions, the European Union, and support for Ukraine, has resonated with various segments of the Austrian population, including blue-collar workers, university graduates, and women.

Failure of Mainstream Parties

The failure of mainstream parties to form a stable coalition and their inability to address the concerns of voters have also contributed to the rise of the far-right. Efforts to bar the FPÖ from power collapsed, and the ÖVP, despite initial reluctance, entered into coalition talks with the FPÖ. This shift by the ÖVP can be attributed to the party's desire to remain in power and the recognition that the FPÖ's support has been steadily growing.

Public Opinion and Voter Base

Trends in public opinion and voter bases also play a role in the rise of the far-right. The FPÖ's support has been steadily increasing, with polling suggesting that their support could reach 35% in the event of a new election. This shift in public opinion towards far-right positions makes it challenging for mainstream parties to effectively counter the FPÖ's influence.

In conclusion, the rise of the far-right in Austria is a multifaceted issue with deep historical and political roots. The normalisation of far-right politics, strategic messaging by far-right leaders, and the failure of mainstream parties to address the concerns of voters have all contributed to the growing influence of the far-right in Austria. As Austria grapples with this political shift, it remains to be seen how the country's democratic values and liberal principles will be impacted by a potential far-right-led government.

Herbert Kickl's role in the Freedom Party

Herbert Kickl is the leader of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), a position he has held since 2021. He is a far-right politician who has served in various roles within the party since 2005. Kickl's role in the Freedom Party has been instrumental in shaping the party's ideology, strategy, and public image.

Kickl first joined the FPÖ as a campaign director and speechwriter for Jörg Haider during the 2000s. After the party split in 2005, he became the general secretary and one of its key leaders. As the general secretary, he was responsible for public relations, internal communication, and strategy development, earning him the reputation as the party's chief strategist and the "right-hand man" of the former leader, Heinz-Christian Strache. Kickl played a crucial role in crafting the party's messaging and moderating its tone to appeal to a broader range of voters.

In 2017, Kickl was appointed Federal Minister for the Interior in the first Kurz government, a role in which he was embroiled in several controversies. He was accused of misusing his office, fostering an anti-democratic environment, and making inflammatory statements. During his tenure, he also pushed for stricter immigration policies, including the rapid deportation of refugees who committed crimes and the establishment of "departure centres" for refugees.

Kickl's opposition to COVID-19 restrictions, including lockdowns and vaccine mandates, helped revive the party's popularity after it crashed out of government in 2019. He regularly attended and spoke at anti-lockdown protests, embracing conspiracy theories and spreading misinformation about the pandemic.

In 2021, Kickl became the leader of the FPÖ, and under his leadership, the party experienced a significant surge in support. In the 2024 Austrian legislative election, the FPÖ gained a plurality of seats in the National Council, solidifying Kickl's position.

Kickl has been a divisive figure, with critics pointing to his far-right ideology, opposition to immigration, and controversial statements. He has been accused of employing Nazi-era terms and embracing conspiracy theories. However, his supporters view him as a strong leader who advocates for the interests of the Austrian people.

Kickl's role in the Freedom Party has been instrumental in shaping its policies, strategy, and public image. He has positioned the party as a force to be reckoned with in Austrian politics, and his influence will likely continue to shape the country's political landscape in the years to come.

Austria's stance on COVID-19 restrictions

Kickl's refusal to bow to pressure to step aside, as well as his stance on COVID-19 restrictions, fuelled his party's rise. In September 2024, the FPOe emerged as the largest party with 29% of the vote, positioning Kickl as a potential chancellor. However, his polarising views and low personal approval ratings have made him a controversial figure.

Despite the FPOe's initial success, coalition talks between mainstream parties aimed at blocking the FPOe from power were initiated. These talks ultimately failed, leading to the resignation of Chancellor Karl Nehammer and a shift in the stance of the conservative People's Party (OVP). With the OVP now willing to enter coalition negotiations with the FPOe, Austria appears poised to have a far-right leader as chancellor for the first time since World War II.

The FPOe's stance on COVID-19 restrictions, immigration, and other issues has attracted criticism and sparked protests. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the party embraced conspiracy theories and campaigned against mandatory vaccinations and lockdowns. The FPOe's leader, Kickl, has been criticised for his casual use of Nazi-era terms and his opposition to vaccinations and lockdowns. However, recent polling suggests that the FPOe's support has only increased, and they are currently polling at around 35%.

The impact of lockdowns on Herbert Kickl's popularity

As of January 2025, Austria is facing the prospect of a far-right government led by Herbert Kickl, the leader of Austria's Freedom Party (FPÖ). This development can be partly attributed to the impact of lockdowns on Herbert Kickl's popularity.

In 2021, Kickl addressed an anti-lockdown protest, and his opposition to lockdowns and vaccine mandates during the pandemic helped revive his party's fortunes after it crashed out of government in 2019. Austria had the highest rate of vaccine holdouts in the EU, and Kickl's stance resonated with a significant portion of the Austrian population.

Kickl's campaign against coronavirus restrictions, coupled with his criticism of immigrants and gender politics, has made him a polarising figure in Austrian politics. While many find his views deeply offensive, his popularity among those opposed to lockdowns and vaccines has increased. This support was a contributing factor in the Freedom Party's (FPÖ) victory in the September 2024 national election, where they secured 29% of the vote, making them the largest party.

The impact of lockdowns on Kickl's popularity was evident in the election results, as his party capitalised on voters' concerns about the economy and the government's handling of the pandemic. The previous centrist government's attempt to form a coalition without the FPÖ collapsed, leading to the Austrian president, Alexander Van der Bellen, tasking Kickl with forming a coalition government with the centre-right People's Party (ÖVP).

Kickl's opposition to lockdowns and vaccine mandates has contributed to his popularity among a segment of Austrian voters who feel their freedoms were restricted during the pandemic. This support has positioned him as a viable candidate for chancellor and has shifted the political landscape in Austria towards the far-right.

While Kickl's popularity among those opposed to lockdowns and vaccines has contributed to his political success, it has also sparked protests and concerns about the normalisation of far-right ideologies. As Austria navigates the formation of a new government, the impact of lockdowns on Herbert Kickl's popularity remains a significant factor in the country's political landscape.

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