Demonstrators Take to Streets as Austria‘s Coalition Talks Begin
In the hours leading up to the start of coalition talks in Austria, tens of thousands of Austrians took to the streets to protest against the formation of a government led by the far-right FPÖ. The demonstration, organized by social, church, environmental, and refugee organizations, was a show of opposition to what they see as an "authoritarian assault on democracy, human rights, environmental protection, and social cohesion" in the country.
The protesters gathered outside the federal chancellor’s office in Vienna, waving banners and placards reading "We don’t want an extreme-right Austria" and "No to FPÖ." They chanted "Kickl Out" and formed a human chain around the building to disrupt the ongoing coalition talks. According to Austrian media, between 25,000 and 50,000 people participated in the protest.
Incidentally, as the demonstration was underway, the FPÖ and the conservative ÖVP formally announced that they would begin coalition talks. This news was met with jeers from the crowd. Austrian President Van der Bellen had earlier tasked FPÖ leader Kickl with leading the coalition talks.
This development marks a U-turn from earlier statements made by ÖVP’s former leader and chancellor, Nehammer, who had ruled out talks with the FPÖ. However, under the leadership of his successor, Christian Stocker, the ÖVP seems more inclined to pursue a coalition agreement with the far-right party rather than holding early elections.
Meanwhile, similar protests sprang up in other Austrian cities, with hundreds gathering in Graz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck to voice their opposition to a coalition with the FPÖ. The organizers of today’s protests emphasized that they are not against individual politicians or parties, but against the extreme-right ideology that they believe threatens Austria’s democratic values and institutions.
