Austrians vote on Sunday in a general election that could see the far-right opposition Freedom Party (FPÖ) top the polls for the first time.
Five years ago, the party crashed out of a coalition government with the conservative People’s Party because of a corruption scandal dubbed Ibiza-gate.
But now, led by Herbert Kickl, the FPÖ is within reach of a historic victory. It narrowly leads the ruling conservatives in the opinion polls, and the opposition Social Democrats are in third place.
…
The FPÖ has successfully tapped into concerns about migration, rising inflation, the war in Ukraine and anger over the way the Covid pandemic was handled, and for months has been hovering around 27% in the polls, up to two points ahead of the conservative Österreichische Volkspartei (ÖVP) or Austrian People’s Party, which is predicting a photo finish.
I wish there were some way to explain to low-information people that far-right economic policies do not work.
There is - socialist economic policies that do work.
The problem is that whenever people ask for those they get centrist neoliberal economic policies.
because you can’t let the other people have benefits too! hence “national socialism”.
I know you’re being sarcastic but have people really become so fucking self interested that they’ve lost sight of the fact that the people around you doing well is of benefit to you? It feels fucking insane how demonized it is to want your neighbors to have a fair shot at life as well
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What the fuck is happening across the world?
A combination of things:
First, misinformation travels at light speed thanks to the lack of control in social media and internet.
Then, we have a generational crisis that is causing a strong lack of confidence in the actual political class because they are seen as incapable of resolving our generation issues.
Add to this that there is the perception of a strong migration problem (pushed by the far right).
The far right capitalizes on all of the above.
Also, it is treated like a cult by its followers because they thrive in environments where the intelligence is not required (it’s actually encouraged to not be intelligent and critical thinker).
The far right is also known to be populist, and they don’t need to be held accountable for their lies because their followers act as a cult.
If you sum this all up, you get our situation: young people voting fascism even more than boomers (look at Germany’s last election).
It really is scary.
I think knee-jerk reaction to the pandemic fallout is also part of it. People are angry at the world and taking it out on the political incumbents.
Post-pandemic idiocity (historically, far right politics become very popular after a pandemic, or so I’ve read) coupled with all the other issues. The filthy rich playing off the masses against each other being a big one. And of course it’s Austria we’re talking about. They’re resilient to learning from past mistakes even when it was just a couple years ago. It’s actually baffling how easily they swing from one side to another, but that’s probably partly because it’s a tiny nation.
People in rich countries don’t like people with different color skin from other countries.
Capitalism.
We’re at the stage of fighting over scraps and looking for scapegoats.
Whilst some of the rich funnel money to the fascists so when democracy backslides into authoritarianism they are part of the in-group.
While enriching military, oil and tech Oligarchs
End result of long running capitalism is fascist oligarchy. We are just nearing the threshold. Hope your children like hunger games in real life.
Bold of you to assume most of us could afford or would choose to have children in this fucked up world.
Neoliberalism (what Regean spearheaded) crushes the common man and its widespread embrace has deprived people of the ability to hope for stuff like a house or the ability to afford a family. People are struggling and want change - centrists are failing to deliver that.
One thing to observe is that in areas where true left wing governments hold sway (like Spain) they’re thriving. But yeah, disappointing centrists marauding as liberals (like Starmer) underdeliver and then get extremist right wingers elected.
Liberal delusions from boom times are giving way to the cultural, political and economic contradictions of globalization in a world of nation-states.
Russian election interference. It’s so easy and cheap!
Sounds like
Australiathe-one-without-kangaroos isn’t at the stage where they start talking openly about that yet though, that’s sad. Hopefully they’ll find their Maria Butina soon.Wrong side of the globe, m8
Ha! Hoisted by my own Stupid.
This stuff is eventually going to be the end of the EU.
It’s odd how all of Putin’s short-term strategies have failed, but his long term ones like brexit and supporting the far right throughout Europe are working a treat.
He has at least a few competent people in his rogues gallery.
Anschluss?
Well, this time just make sure to give the fucking hymn back
Aren’t Austrians just Germans pretty much? We all know how much they like their daddy-authoritarians
Aren’t Americans just English pretty much? We all know how much they like their daddy-king
Aren’t English just Italians pretty much? We all know how much they like their Cesar.
They can be whatever they want, so long as they don’t produce another Hitler.
I’m sure some Germans wish they could claim Mozart, the Strausses and even Hedy Lamarr as their own, but they were not and they never will be.
I’m sure Austria would be willing to give Germany Falco, however.
Don’t turn around… oh oh ohh, schau, schau
Der Neu-Führer’s in town, oh oh ohh…
Aren’t Austrians just Germans pretty much?
The FPÖ certainly thinks so, yeah. Most of the rest of us do not.
