Yet another European Union member state drifts rightward. If polls prove correct, in the Austrian parliamentary elections on Sept 29th the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) is expected to win. This may have an impact not only on EU politics but also on EU-Russian relations.

Founded in 1956, the FPÖ has often been on the verge of taking power. Under Jorg Haïder it was one of the first national-conservative parties to leave its mark on contemporary European politics. It has participated in three government coalitions, one with the Social Democrats and two with the centre-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP). Now for the first time, it looks like it can win first place.

The FPÖ rise is fuelled by the fact that Austria is far from being at its best. Illegal immigration and the woke agenda aside, the economy is shrinking while taxation is hindering growth. Now 2024 is expected to close with a 0.7 per cent GDP contraction. Many believe the war in Ukraine has a lot to do with this.

To make things even worse, Austria is highly dependent on Russian natural gas (about 80 per cent of its national consumption), which is expected to be cut off by Ukraine in 2025. With inflation already a problem, a surge in gas prices, which could reach 20 per cent, would be devastating for Austrians.