In 2020, many commentators regarded the new Austrian government as a political testing ground. The agreement struck between the conservative ÖVP and The Greens was described as “a new era”^[1] and a “model of reference for the future”^[2], because the combination of progressive and conservative ideologies seemed to render possible the broad societal anchoring of the green agenda.

Now, four years later, the situation is markedly different. The government suffered significant losses in the European Parliament elections, and polls are looking similarly grim for the upcoming parliamentary elections on September 29. The government is likely to lose its majority, and there is considerable discord between the coalition partners, making a renewal of the conservative-green government look unlikely.

Meanwhile, the far-right FPÖ is surging and is prone to overtake the ÖVP as the biggest party in the Austrian parliament. The FPÖ, which recently co-founded the far-right Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament alongside Viktor Orban and Marine Le Pen, would likely be a problematic partner for the European establishment: FPÖ chairman Herbert Kickl has criticised Ursula von der Leyen of “warmongering” and want to establish a “Fortress Austria”.

What is the current state of Austrian politics? What are the prospects for the Austrian election? And what will this election mean for Europe and the EU?

Join us for a webinar on September 24, 10.00, as Think Tank EUROPA discusses these questions with Laurenz Ennser-Jedenastik, Professor of Austrian Politics in the European Context at the Department of Government, University of Vienna.