Far-right victory in Austria stuns Europe and Israel - 29-Sep-2008 - Generational Dynamics

Generational Dynamics Web Log for 29-Sep-2008

Far-right victory in Austria stuns Europe and Israel

Anyone who has seen "The Sound of Music" knows that Austria played a pivotal role in the development of the European war in the 1930s.

Europe's major bank failures began in Austria in 1931, triggering mass panic and bank failures throughout Central Europe. By the end of the year, there were over 6 million unemployed, and the resulting social tension gave rise to Communism and Naziism, and the rise to power of Adolf Hitler.

And so deep memories were stirred on Sunday, when Austria's two far-right parties, the Freedom Party and the Alliance for the Future of Austria, together took nearly 29% of the vote in the general elections.

The Social Democrats won the election with 30%. But they, and the conservative People's Party, with 26%, suffered their worst results since 1945, while the far right showed its greatest strength since the end of World War II.

The coalition of the center parties, the Social Democrats and the People's Party, had ruled until recently. But, like many governments today, the Austrian government became paralyzed with bickering, and they were forced to call a new election.

Heinz-Christian Strache, the leader of the Freedom Party, has been accused of links to neo-Nazis, but he denies that. The Freedom Party has called for a halt to immigration and a ministry for repatriating foreigners. The election campaign targeted young people, and focused on economic and income issues. It is also opposed to globalization and to being part of the European Union.

In 2000, when the Freedom Party briefly became part of Austria's governing coalition, Austria received sanctions from the European Union, and Israel recalled its ambassador from Vienna.

Today, the reaction is expected to be less harsh, largely because right-wing anti-immigrant parties have been gaining in other European countries, including Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.

However, an Israeli Ministry spokesman said that:

"We are very concerned over the rise to power of people who promote hatred of foreigners and Holocaust denial, and befriend Neo-Nazis. We see it as a disturbing development and are following the matter very closely."

The rise of the far right in Austria may or may not have great significance, as it may simply be a protest vote against the incompetence of the current government.

However, as the change in political direction coincides with the continuing collapse of the world financial system, the fears of a repeat of the events of the early 1930s are being stirred.

(Comments: For reader comments and discussion, see the Austria thread of the Generational Dynamics forum.) (29-Sep-2008) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 29-Sep-2008 Far-right victory in Austria stuns Europe and Israel

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 29-Sep-2008
Far-right victory in Austria stuns Europe and Israel