
Thousands gathered in central Vienna on Tuesday evening to protest against a proposed coalition government led by the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ).
The demonstration began outside the Federal Chancellery on Ballhausplatz before moving to the headquarters of the People’s Party (ÖVP) behind City Hall. The ÖVP is negotiating to become the junior partner in the coalition, which would mark the first time the FPÖ has led an Austrian government since its founding after the Second World War by former Nazis.
FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl has outlined plans to create a “Fortress Austria” with sharply reduced immigration and a tight budget, styling himself as a “Volkskanzler” or People’s Chancellor – a term used in Nazi propaganda in the 1930s to describe Adolf Hitler.
The timing of the protest coincided with the 25th anniversary of Austria’s first ÖVP-FPÖ coalition, inaugurated on 4 February 2000. That government triggered unprecedented EU sanctions and sparked a tradition of mass demonstrations against the far-right.
A later coalition between the two parties, from 2017 to 2019, collapsed after a former FPÖ leader was caught on camera allegedly offering public contracts in exchange for favourable media coverage.
Demonstrators chanted slogans including “Alerta, alerta, antifascista!” and “All of Vienna hates the FPÖ.” There was also criticism of the FPÖ’s proposal to introduce “payment cards” for asylum seekers.
Coalition Talks ‘In a Difficult Phase’
At the same time, reports emerged this week suggesting that talks between the FPÖ and ÖVP had stalled, with several contentious issues still unresolved. The ÖVP confirmed as much on Tuesday evening, just as the protest was getting underway.
“The government talks are in a difficult phase,” the ÖVP said in a press release. However, following a meeting of the party’s internal committees, it insisted discussions would continue on Wednesday.
“The ÖVP remains engaged in ongoing negotiations,” the party said. “Meetings in the subgroups are scheduled for today and tomorrow.”
ÖVP interim chairman Christian Stocker reiterated “three fundamental conditions” for the talks: Austria’s sovereignty against foreign influence, a constructive role within the EU and the protection of “our liberal democracy and the rule of law.”
The FPÖ, however, dismissed claims of a “negotiation pause.”
“Another fake story! Dear media: No, the negotiations have not been abandoned. The ÖVP is apparently holding internal discussions,” the party wrote on X.