Far-right 'gains' as Austria kicks off 'super election year'

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Austria has seen a rise in support for the far right following local elections in the central state of Styria and Burgenland in the east.

Primary results suggest the SPO-OVP (Social Democrat-Conservative) coalition took a serious hit in both regions, to the benefit of the right-wing FPO.

Campaigning with slogans such as “Foreign in your own country,” the FPO’s following has almost tripled in Styria. It rose from 10.6 percent to 27.1 percent, according to initial results.

Mario Kunasek ran for the FPO in Styria.

“Now there are three equally-weighted parties, it is up to us to accept the clear electoral mandate,” he said.

Austrian Chancellor and Social Democrat leader Werner Faymann gave his opinion on the result.

“The FPO decided to exploit the subject of immigration and all other insecurities to work people up,” he said.

It’s being touted a ‘super election year’ in Austria. Both Oberösterreich and Vienna will vote later in 2015, with the FPO leader Heinz-Christian Strache expected to stand for election in the capital.

Reactions on social media

Regional election in Styria (Austria): Just listen to the fears of people, because Le Pen and Farage and Strache listen also

— Johannes Kuebeck (@KLZJKuebeck) May 31, 2015

Well, and the far-right just got 27% in the styrian election. How far right? It's the successor to the NSDAP (nazi party) YAY, AUSTRIA! FU!

— Dr. Strangethumb (@Dr_Strangethumb) May 31, 2015

32,3%: the election in Styria, #Austria has a clear winner: those who did not utilize their right to vote #ltw15#democracy

— marianne schulze (@hrmaze) May 31, 2015

@lukeblackheath@ottocrat Very *bad* provincial election results in Austria. Unable to find anything in English so far.

— Clay Harris (@mudlarklives) June 1, 2015

1999 deja-vu...local election result in #Austria devastating: only winner is #FPÖ; both big parties #ÖVP and #SPÖ massive losses.

— heidi maurer (@heidi_maurer) June 1, 2015