Lexi Webster
Austria's next general election will be held on 29 September 2024, at the end of the current five-year parliament. The election will be a showdown between Chancellor Karl Nehammer's conservatives and the Greens, and the ascendant far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). The election will be a test for the country's multi-party system, which has seen six chancellors in the past 10 years, and it remains to be seen whether the FPÖ will be tasked with forming the next government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the Next Austrian Election | 29 September 2024 |
| Type of Election | Federal Election |
| Election Cycle | Elections take place every five years, except when a snap election is called |
| Voter Turnout | 56.3% |
| Eligible Voters | 6,346,059 |
| Absentee Ballots Issued | 1,436,240 |
| Percentage of Eligible Voters Who Requested an Absentee Ballot | 23% |
| Winning Party | Far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) |
| Votes Secured by the Winning Party | 28.8% |
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What You'll Learn
The next Austrian election is scheduled for 29 September 2024
The Austrian election cycle typically runs for five years, with the next election marking the end of the current parliamentary term. However, snap elections can be called if the chancellor desires early elections or loses the support of the majority in the National Council, as occurred in 2017 and 2019.
The Austrian political landscape has been characterised by frequent changes in leadership, with six chancellors in the past decade, one of whom, Sebastian Kurz, served two terms. The country has a multi-party system, with parties needing to clear a 4% threshold to win seats in parliament. The previous election in 2019 saw the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) form a coalition with the Green Party, marking the first time the latter had entered the government.
The upcoming election is significant as it marks a turning point for the far right, with polls indicating a lead for the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). This shift has been attributed to dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition over issues such as immigration and the COVID-19 pandemic. The election will determine the formation of the next government, with the possibility of a coalition being necessary to ensure a stable parliamentary majority.
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The far-right Freedom Party (FPO) is leading in the polls
Austria's next general election will be held on 29 September 2024, at the end of the current five-year parliament. The far-right Freedom Party (FPO) is leading in the polls, marking a significant shift in Austrian politics. The FPO's success can be attributed to several factors, including voter dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition of Nehammer's conservatives and the Greens. The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and immigration have also been key issues that have fuelled support for the FPO.
The FPO's anti-immigration stance has resonated with many Austrians, and the party has capitalised on concerns about the country's falling population, which has been declining due to a birth deficit and negative migration balance. The FPO won the 2024 European elections in Austria, further solidifying its position. The party's leader, Herbert Kickl, has been a controversial figure, with some accusing him of being a "security threat" to the country. Despite this, the FPO has maintained strong support, particularly among its base, with 98% of FPO voters favouring the party in a post-election poll.
The FPO's rise has caused concern among some Austrians, with President Alexander Van der Bellen pledging to ensure the formation of a government that respects the "foundations of our liberal democracy". Van der Bellen has suggested that he may not give the FPO a mandate to form a government, even if they win the most seats. However, it is important to note that the Austrian president is not required by the constitution to ask the leader of the largest party to form a government, and the FPO may struggle to find coalition partners.
The FPO's potential impact on Austrian politics cannot be understated, as the country's history of coalition governments and proportional representation means that even a small number of seats can have a significant influence. The FPO has previously been part of coalition governments, and their increased support in the 2024 election could give them more leverage in any future negotiations. The FPO's success in the 2024 Austrian legislative election will have far-reaching implications and indicates a turning point for the far-right in the country.
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The ÖVP-Green government resigned but remains in a caretaker role
Austria's next general election will be held on 29 September 2024, at the end of the current five-year parliamentary term. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Greens were expected to work together until the end of the parliament despite their differences on key issues like immigration. However, on 2 October, the ÖVP-Green government resigned, although it was asked to stay on in a caretaker role by President Alexander Van der Bellen.
The outgoing government's resignation came after the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) placed first in the election, winning 28.8% of the vote and achieving the best result in the party's history. The ÖVP-Green coalition lost a significant number of seats, with the former losing 20 and the latter 10. The centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) won 21.1% of the vote, gaining one seat compared to the previous election.
Despite the election results, there is no guarantee that the FPÖ will be tasked with forming the next government. While it is customary for the president to first ask the leader of the largest party to try to form a government, the constitution does not require this. President Van der Bellen has stated that he might not give the FPÖ this mandate, and on 22 October, he officially asked Karl Nehammer of the ÖVP to form the next government and negotiate with the SPÖ. Nehammer has stated that he will need to find a third coalition partner to ensure a stable parliamentary majority.
In the meantime, the outgoing ÖVP-Green government remains in a caretaker role, ensuring continuity in governance until a new government is formed. This situation is not uncommon in Austrian politics, which has seen six chancellors in the past 10 years, with one of them, Sebastian Kurz, holding office twice. The frequent changes in leadership reflect the complex and dynamic nature of the country's multiparty system, where coalitions are often necessary to form a stable government.
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Absentee ballots are at a record high
The next Austrian election is set to be held on 29 September 2024. This election will mark the end of the current five-year parliament.
Absentee ballots for the 2024 Austrian legislative election have reached a record high. Electoral authorities issued 1,436,240 absentee ballots by 27 September 2024, the last day to request one. This number far surpasses the 1,070,933 absentee ballots issued for the 2019 election.
The increase in absentee ballots can be attributed to several factors, including the convenience of voting remotely and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the pandemic still ongoing, many voters may feel more comfortable casting their votes remotely to minimise their risk of exposure. Additionally, the rise in absentee ballots could be a reflection of changing voter preferences and an increasing desire for flexibility in the voting process.
The high number of absentee ballots has significant implications for the election. Firstly, it indicates a high level of voter engagement and participation, which is essential for the democratic process. Secondly, it suggests that a large portion of the electorate has planned ahead and made a conscious decision to vote, which could impact the overall turnout rate. Finally, the increase in absentee ballots may affect the timing of the vote count and the announcement of results, as these ballots must be carefully processed and validated.
The Ministry of the Interior projected that every fourth vote cast in this election would be an absentee ballot. This projection underscores the importance of accommodating and encouraging remote voting options in future elections. It remains to be seen whether the record-high number of absentee ballots will translate into a higher overall voter turnout, but it certainly indicates a shift in voting behaviour and preferences among Austrian citizens.
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The Austrian president tasks parties with forming a government
The Austrian legislative election of 2024 saw the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) win 28.8% of the vote, achieving the best result in the party's history. The election also resulted in the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) losing 20 seats, and its coalition partner, the Greens, losing 10 seats. The centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) won 21.1% of the vote, the worst result in its history, but gained one seat compared to the previous election.
On 22 October 2024, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen tasked Karl Nehammer, leader of the conservative People's Party, with forming a government. This was despite the Freedom Party winning the election, as they would need to assemble a coalition to command a majority in parliament. The Freedom Party's leader, Herbert Kickl, had stated that he would be chancellor in an FPÖ-led government, but other parties refused to work with him. Van der Bellen, who oversees the formation of governments, said that those parties had stood by their positions on that.
Nehammer was asked to form a government and negotiate with the SPÖ. However, he stated that he would need to find a third coalition partner to ensure a stable parliamentary majority. On 9 October, Van der Bellen asked the leaders of the three strongest parties to hold talks on possible cooperation, and on Monday, they reported back, confirming that Kickl would not find any coalition partners. This left Nehammer and the SPÖ with only a one-seat majority, which Van der Bellen said may not be enough for a "stable government".
The outgoing ÖVP-Green government tendered its resignation, but Van der Bellen asked it to stay on in a caretaker role. The next Austrian legislative election is set to take place in 2029.
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Frequently asked questions
The next Austrian election will be held on 29 September 2024.
Austrian elections take place every five years, except when a snap election is called.
There are two main elections in Austria: presidential elections and National Council elections.
The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) is a far-right political party. In the 2024 Austrian legislative election, the FPÖ placed first, winning 28.8% of the vote. This marked the first time a far-right party won the most seats in a legislative election in Austria since World War II.
