Freedom Party of Austria: between Rightwing Populism, Austrian Patriotism and German Nationalism

Abstract

Sixty years old Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) history is very  representative for study West European far-right parties and  movements. In last decade West Europe are going through the  unprecedented rise of right-wing populism in conditions of citizens’  dissatisfaction with traditional parties’ politics and its institutions.  Trying to retain their power the governance parties are involving in  the common political trend: use narrative of right-wing populism, are ready to previously unthinkable party alliances erasing usual  ideological boundaries. FPÖ exclusive characteristic consists in its special interpretation of Austrian identity combining German  nationalism and Austrian patriotism. This position loyalty allows FPÖ  to have its own stable electoral foundation and to hope for its  support in crisis situations. FPÖ went through several intra-party conflict and experienced periods of serious falls and successful  upgrades. At present the party is on its political rise supported by almost one third of Austrian electorate. FPÖ chairman Heinz- Christian Strache became the Vice-Chancellor of Austria after  Austrian legislative election in 2017. FPÖ had 6 of 13 seats in the  government led by Sebastian Kurz. Set of specific to the Austrian  society circumstances, such as denazification minimize and imitation  of Austrian identity formation in the postwar period, politicization of  the immigration issue escalated in 2015 by European migrant crisis,  is making FPÖ a dangerous player on the Austrian political scene and  an encouraging example for the far-rights parties of neighbor  countries.