Austria goes to the polls today, with the far-right aiming for a historic victory

(Patria) - Austrians are electing a new parliament today, and the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) aims to secure its first general election victory in a race with the ruling conservatives in which economic concerns and immigration have dominated, Reuters reported.

After leading in opinion polls for months, the FPO's lead over the Austrian People's Party (OVP) has narrowed to almost zero as Chancellor Karl Nehammer presents himself as a statesman and portrays his rival, FPO leader Herbert Kickl, as a poisonous threat.

Whoever wins will not gain an absolute majority, polls show, but will lay claim to leading a coalition government. Projections are expected minutes after the polls close at 5 p.m.

"What is at stake is whether the FPO will appoint the chancellor or not," says Kathrin Stainer-
Haemmerle, a professor of political science at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.

"If that happens, then I must say that Austria's role in the European Union would be significantly different. Kickl has often said that (Hungarian Prime Minister) Viktor Orban is his role model and that he will stand with him," she added.

The eurosceptic, Russia-friendly FPO, which is critical of Islam and promises stricter rules for asylum seekers, first won at the national level in June in the European elections ahead of the OVP by less than one percentage point.

An FPO victory would make Austria the latest European Union country to see a rise in far-right support after the Netherlands, France, and Germany.

President Alexander Van der Bellen, who oversees government formation, has expressed reservations about the FPO due to its criticism of the EU and its failure to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The party also opposes EU sanctions on Moscow, citing Austria's neutrality.

He has hinted that he might thwart Kickl, pointing out that the constitution does not require him to ask the first-placed party to form a government, although this has long been the custom.

The OVP, which like the FPO supports stricter immigration rules and tax cuts, is the only party open to forming a coalition with the far-right party. Polls show they could gather a majority together, but Nehammer says his party will not join a government in which Kickl is present.