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Austrians went to the polls on Sunday morning to elect a new parliament, with the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) aiming to win its first general election victory in a close contest with the ruling conservatives. , Austrian People's Party.
The election campaign was dominated by voters' concerns about the economy and immigration.
The FPO led for months in the public opinion polls, but its lead over the conservative party (OVP) has shrunk almost entirely after Chancellor Karl Nehammer presented himself as a statesman and described his rival, FPO leader Herbert Kickl , as a dangerous and toxic man.
Whoever wins these elections will not be able to win the majority in the Parliament, according to the polls, but will enjoy the right to lead the government coalition.
The first polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m. and will close at 5:00 p.m.
The preliminary results are expected to be made public immediately after the close of voting.
"The issue is that the chancellor will be appointed from the ranks of the FPO," said Katherin Stainer-Haemmerle, professor of political science at Carinthia University.
"If this happens, then I have to say that Austria's role in the European Union will be completely different. Kickl has often said that [Hungarian Prime Minister] Viktor Orban is an example to follow for him and he will maintain this position," she added.
A victory for the FPO would make Austria the latest country in the EU to see an increase in support for the far-right, following countries such as the Netherlands, France and Germany.
The FPO is Eurosceptic and Russia-friendly, as well as critical of Islam and has pledged tough rules on asylum seekers.
It defeated the OVP by less than one percent in the European Parliament elections in Austria last June.
The OVP, which like the FPO supports tougher rules for immigrants, is the only party open to a coalition with the far-right party.
However, Nehammer says that his party will not join a government that includes Kickl./ REL
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