Janice R. Andrews
The Austrian National Assembly made an unprecedented decision Thursday by selecting Walter Rosenkranz from the Freedom Party (FPÖ) as its speaker, placing a far-right politician in the country’s second-highest constitutional position for the first time.
The development comes in the wake of the FPÖ’s significant electoral success in September, where they captured 28.9% of votes, surpassing the People’s Party (ÖVP). Despite this achievement, the FPÖ lacks a parliamentary majority and faces difficulties in coalition-building, with major parties including the ÖVP refusing partnership.
Rosenkranz, formerly the FPÖ’s caucus leader, received 100 votes from the 183-member parliament. His appointment faced opposition from Green Party members and other legislators, while Jewish organizations expressed alarm, pointing to his far-right fraternity ties and the party’s stance on extremism.
Critics have raised concerns about legitimizing far-right ideology in high office, particularly given the FPÖ’s Eurosceptic positions. However, the party’s path to government remains blocked by coalition-forming challenges.
In response to the political landscape, President Van der Bellen opted to task ÖVP’s Chancellor Nehammer, rather than FPÖ’s Kickl, with forming a government. Nehammer aims to establish a tripartite coalition involving the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and either the Greens or NEOs.
The ÖVP and SPÖ are set to begin coalition discussions Friday, as Austria awaits the potential formation of a government excluding the FPÖ.
