Nevertheless, the hole to the second-placed Individuals’s Get together was considerably smaller than the primary forecasts at 5 p.m. had recommended. The SPÖ remained in third place. The Greens are more likely to stay in double figures with just below eleven p.c, whereas the NEOS are nearly to overlook out. The KPÖ and DNA failed. The ultimate outcome, together with all voting playing cards, shouldn’t be anticipated to be accessible earlier than Monday night.
As is common with EU elections, the election evening was thrilling for a very long time, because the outcomes can solely be revealed when the final polling stations shut throughout Europe, which is at 11 p.m. in Italy. Because of this, one needed to rely in the meanwhile on a joint pattern forecast by FORESIGHT, ARGE Wahlen and Peter Hajek for APA, ORF and Puls 4, which gave the FPÖ a reasonably clear lead over the Individuals’s Get together and the SPÖ.
The counting then confirmed that the Freedom Get together and the ÖVP had been considerably nearer collectively. Regardless of a rise of 8.5 share factors, the FPÖ remained at 25.7 p.c, properly beneath its report results of 1996 (27.5 p.c), which was nonetheless sufficient to safe first place. The ÖVP misplaced a whopping 9.9 share factors, a historic loss, at 24.7 p.c. The SPÖ is in peril of attaining its worst end in an EU election with 23.2 p.c, except postal voters flip issues round like they did 5 years in the past. The Greens bought off frivolously with 10.7 p.c following the turmoil surrounding prime candidate Lena Schilling, shedding three share factors. The NEOS didn’t attain their good ballot scores, however nonetheless achieved one of the best outcome of their historical past with 9.9 p.c.
Postponements resulting from voting playing cards
There may nonetheless be slight shifts resulting from 109,000 poll papers that won’t be counted till Monday. The ÖVP may transfer a bit of nearer to the Freedom Get together. Nevertheless, a change within the prime positions is sort of inconceivable. The poll paper forecast in the end assumes a spot of 0.8 share factors. The NEOS ought to subsequently nearly attain double figures, particularly 10.1 p.c. In any other case there are hardly any adjustments.
The KPÖ elevated from 0.8 to nearly three p.c (2.9) and missed the 4 p.c hurdle. Lead candidate Günther Hopfgartner however sees “a sure springboard with regard to the Nationwide Council elections”. The primary-time candidate on the DNA listing, Maria Hubmer-Mogg, was disillusioned with the two.7 p.c achieved and doesn’t wish to run for the Nationwide Council.
Good temper on the FPÖ
The temper was significantly better among the many Freedom Get together. Lead candidate Harald Vilimsky perceived a vote for extra nationwide self-determination. The worry marketing campaign of the competitors had come to nothing. Get together chief Herbert Kickl “humbly” celebrated a “historic outcome” and noticed a “milestone” reached. An election day survey for ATV/Puls24 appears to be making the Freedom Get together hopeful. 69 p.c of people that voted for the FPÖ within the EU election will certainly accomplish that within the Nationwide Council election as properly. That is by far one of the best results of all events.
VP prime candidate Reinhold Lopatka known as the heavy losses “bitter,” but in addition acknowledged a “good foundation” and the “enormous alternative” to make up for it within the fall. Get together chief and Chancellor Karl Nehammer, then once more, discovered the outcome “in no way pleasing.” He needs to take the “nice dissatisfaction” among the many inhabitants and pour it into concrete insurance policies – for instance, via decisive motion towards unlawful migration and overregulation.
The SPÖ issued slogans calling for perseverance. Get together chief Andreas Babler spoke to his supporters of a “very steady outcome”. Even when they’d anticipated a bit of extra, they had been “inside hanging distance” of the FPÖ. Lead candidate Andreas Schieder was practical: “Tailwind would have been higher.” The SPÖ continues to be in a troublesome section. Membership chairman Philip Kucher additionally left little question regarding his disappointment: “We needn’t fiddle, in fact we’d have needed and hoped for extra.”
“Do not allow us to be blown away”
Inexperienced Get together spokesman Werner Kogler promised following a turbulent election marketing campaign that errors might be addressed and made higher. The Vice Chancellor may reside with the outcome underneath the present circumstances: “We’re used to headwinds and we won’t let ourselves be blown away.” Schilling herself now needs to combat for local weather justice with all her coronary heart following what she described as a “unhealthy” election marketing campaign in Brussels.
NEOS prime candidate Helmut Brandstätter didn’t wish to be criticized for his “glorious outcome”, although it fell in need of the ballot outcomes. Get together chief Beate Meinl-Reisinger was enthusiastic: “We’re winners right this moment.”
After the election, Austria might be represented in Strasbourg and Brussels by 20 representatives as an alternative of the present 19. The rationale for that is the rise within the complete variety of seats within the EU Parliament, which has been determined for the approaching legislative interval and may have 720 seats as an alternative of 705 sooner or later.
As issues stand, the Freedom Get together would acquire three seats and the NEOS one. In return, the ÖVP would lose two and the Greens one. The SPÖ would stay the identical.
Austria’s outgoing EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn (ÖVP) was not very enthusiastic in regards to the consequence of the FPÖ’s victory: “It was not a lift to the social gathering’s status. The Freedom Get together’s outcome was “not one to be joyful regarding”.
