The EU’s strategy to deal with the far-right Freedom Party heading for power in Vienna is … hope for the best.

If he comes to power, sharp-tongued, far-right leader Herbert Kickl will be contemporary Austria's most controversial chancellor.

Mr Kickl’s political hero is Viktor Orban, Hungary’s autocratic leader. But unlike Hungarian voters who first voted Mr Orban in, few Austrian voters seem enamoured with Mr Kickl. Only 2% of FPÖ voters in September said they voted for the party because of Mr Kickl, while 45% said they did so because of its policies.

The far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), currently negotiating a coalition government in the Alpine state, are planning massive attacks on the working class and on migrants.

Herbert Kickl, who now has good chances of becoming Austria's next chancellor, has radicalized the FPÖ in recent years. He seems to enjoy his role as the ultimate evil.

For years Herbert Kickl was written off by many, including party comrades, as a figure best suited for work behind the scenes. An Eigenbrötler, they joked: someone who bakes their own bread. Now, he looks almost certain to be Austria’s next chancellor — one of the most successful figureheads for Europe’s insurgent far right.

Herbert Kickl on his way out of Vienna's Hofburg Palace following talks with Austria's president, Alexander Van der Bellen, earlier this month. | Credit: Joe Klamar / AFP / "Vienna could be about to get its first far-right leader since WWII,

Even so, according to polls, the FPÖ will do still better if snap elections are held. Kronen Zeitung, Austria’s largest-circulation tabloid, published a poll on January 5th that put the FPÖ at 37% of the vote, which would give them around 40% of the seats in parliament. That should focus the minds of the ÖVP ’s negotiators. ■

Herbert Kickl, the controversial leader of Austria’s far-right FPÖ, is within reach of becoming the country’s first far-right chancellor. As the FPÖ negotiates a coalition with the conservatives, Kickl faces protests and criticism over his rhetoric and ties to extremist ideologies.

Elon Musk may steal headlines with his zeal for Germany’s AfD party, but sentiments are shifting well beyond Berlin.

"Vienna could be about to get its first far-right leader since WWII," said Oliver Noyan on Politico (Brussels). Ever since Herbert Kickl's far-right Freedom Party edged a win in September's ...

If he comes to power, sharp-tongued, far-right leader Herbert Kickl will be contemporary Austria's most controversial chancellor. His Freedom Party (FPOe), which topped national polls for the ...