Austerity's Legacy: Unraveling Austria's Conservative Political Landscape

A majority of Austrian voters tend to be conservative, especially being cautious towards immigrants and foreigners, ranging from mild discontent to open racism. Foreign policy is massively shaped by the idea of a European Fortress against waves of immigrants from the near east, and neoliberalism tends to be the norm, even with the so-called social democrats. Corruption has had a strong comeback in recent years, keeping more conservative forces in power and prompting them to put the hurt on the judicial system and the media.

Right-wing anti-foreigners stance

The majority of Austrian voters tend to be conservative, especially being cautious towards immigrants and "foreigners", ranging from mild discontent to open racism. The country's foreign policy is shaped by the idea of a "European Fortress" against waves of immigrants from the near east, which is similar to the US' view of its southern neighbours. However, economically speaking, neoliberalism tends to be the norm, even with the so-called "social democrats", despite their repeated claims to the contrary.

The OeVP or FPOe has been voted for by the majority despite corruption, scandals, and mismanagement of the pandemic. This shows how much Austrians hate foreigners and "lefties" rather than they care about the well-being of Austria.

The right-wing anti-foreigners stance is well-known and has been true for the time before Kurz too. The current government might be ideologically flexible, but due to the nature of the Austrian electorate, they adopted a right-wing, anti-foreigners and anti-LGBT stance, sometimes touching on antisemitic rhetoric, seeing "red networks" everywhere, and having a deep-seated belief of "only to those that deserve it".

The conservative stance on social security and reforms made in the 1970s by the Social Democrats are internalised by a lot of people. Changing them in a huge way (to the worse) would result in some backlash by the people.

The conservative stance on social security and reforms made in the 1970s by the Social Democrats are internalised by a lot of people. Changing them in a huge way (to the worse) would result in some backlash by the people.

Anti-LGBT sentiment

The majority of Austrian voters tend to be conservative, especially being cautious towards immigrants and "foreigners", ranging from mild discontent to open racism.

Foreign policy is massively shaped by the idea of a "European Fortress" against waves of immigrants from the near east, reminiscent of the US' view of its southern neighbours, with the caveat that they have outsourced the more unsavoury parts of immigration policy to other countries (or the EU).

Corruption has had a strong comeback in recent years, keeping more conservative forces in power and prompting them to put pressure on the judicial system and the media.

The idea of social security and a lot of reforms made in the 1970s by the Social Democrats are internalised by a lot of people. Changing them in a huge way (to the worse) would result in some backlash by the people. But there is some belief of "only to those that deserve it".

Young people are split between lines. A lot of my friends more support progressive parties (I am a SPÖ member and have problems with my party) or more conservative. How one views politics depends in some way on region and family. For instance, my home region Mühlviertel in Upper Austria is mostly conservative with some exceptions, mostly because it is rural.

Kurz and Co might be ideologically flexible, but due to the nature of the Austrian electorate, they adopted a rightwing, anti-foreigners and anti-LGBT stance, sometimes touching on antisemitic rhetoric, see "red networks" everywhere and have a d...

Cautiousness towards immigrants

The majority of Austrian voters tend to be conservative, especially being cautious towards immigrants and "foreigners". This is due to the idea of a "European Fortress" against waves of immigrants from the near east. This is similar to the US' view of its southern neighbours, with the caveat that they have outsourced the more unsavoury parts of immigration policy to other countries or the EU.

The idea of social security and a lot of reforms made in the 1970s by the Social Democrats are internalised by a lot of people. Changing them in a huge way (to the worse) would result in some backlash by the people. But there is some belief of "only to those that deserve it". Young people are split between lines. A lot of my friends more support progressive parties or more conservative. How one views politics depends in some way on region and family. For instance, my home region Mühlviertel in Upper Austria is mostly conservative with some exceptions, mostly because it is rural.

The majority would still vote for the OeVP or FPOe shows how much Austrians hate foreigners and "lefties" rather than they care about the well-being of Austria. Kurz and Co might be ideologically flexible, but due to the nature of the Austrian electorate, they adopted a rightwing, anti-foreigners and anti-LGBT stance (well, the latter has been true for the time before Kurz too), sometimes touch on antisemitic rhetoric, see "red networks" everywhere and have a d iscernable goal is to stay in power and get rich. They are a thoroughly corrupt organization, and have failed their conservative voter-base utterly.

Corruption keeping conservative forces in power

Corruption has had a strong comeback in recent years in Austria, keeping more conservative forces in power. OeVP and FPOe have failed their conservative voter-base by mismanaging the pandemic and engaging in corruption. The majority of Austrian voters tend to be conservative, especially being cautious towards immigrants and "foreigners". Foreign policy is massively shaped by the idea of a "European Fortress" against waves of immigrants from the near east. Corruption, while not as blatant and rampant as in, say, Romania or the US Congress, has had a strong comeback in recent years, keeping more conservative forces in power and prompting them to put the hurt on the judicial system and the media.

Economic neoliberalism

In the context of Austria, economic neoliberalism has been a significant factor in shaping the country's economic policies and political landscape. The OeVP (Austrian People's Party) and FPOe (Freedom Party of Austria) have historically been associated with neoliberal economic policies, such as tax cuts, deregulation, and favorable business environments. These parties have often prioritized economic growth and individual freedom over social welfare programs and state intervention.

The adoption of neoliberal economic policies in Austria has had implications for various sectors and social groups. On one hand, neoliberalism has fostered economic growth and attracted foreign investment, leading to increased prosperity for some. However, it has also widened income inequality and reduced social welfare, impacting vulnerable populations and those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder.

The conservative majorities in Austria have often supported neoliberal economic policies, as they align with their views on individual freedom and market-driven solutions. The conservative electorate has tended to be cautious of government intervention and has favored a limited role for the state in the economy. This has resulted in a political environment where neoliberalism has become a dominant force, even among social democratic parties, which historically advocated for more state involvement.

In summary, economic neoliberalism has been a significant factor in shaping Austria's political and economic landscape. It has influenced the policies of major political parties, driven economic growth, and impacted social welfare and income inequality. The conservative majority in Austria has often supported neoliberal policies, reflecting their belief in individual freedom and market-driven solutions.

Frequently asked questions