[pp.int.general] Elections in Austria

[Max Lalouschek | Piratenpartei Österreichs]

Hey all,

I'm sitting here already quite a while not knowing what I should write. 
Some of your media probably already wrote or said that there was a huge 
right shift in Austria. It had to be expected to some extent (many lost 
the trust - once again- in our grand coalition) but nobody really 
expected it to be THAT huge.

Anyway, I'll give you a short overview of the results and will write 
then about the possible consequences.

The results (FPÖ and BZÖ are the two populistic right wing parties):
Social-democrats (29,7%), Conservatives (25,6%), FPÖ (18%), BZÖ (11%), 
Green party (9,8%)

It should be noted, that social-democrats and conservatives got their 
worst results since their existence, although social-democrats gained 
quite a lot of votes in the last weeks, fortunately enough to get the 
first place.

It should also be noted, that this time the liberals tried once again 
(after a break) to make it into parliament, but totally failed, getting 
just 2%. It is possible that this was now the last time that the 
liberals tried to get into parliament (which would mean the end of the 
liberal party).

Consequences:
Oh dear. For social democrats, there are only two options now... a 
coalition - once again - with conservatives or all alone as a minority 
government. Both options are difficult.

And because of that, there is another option... and we had that 
situation 1999 (when sanctions were imposed against Austria by the EU). 
IF social democrats decide that none of these two options are possible, 
conservatives (as the second biggest party) will have the assignment to 
form a coalition. The conservatives will not hesitate to form such a 
coalition with FPÖ and BZÖ. That will mean a conservative populistic 
right wing government. Holy sh...ame.

Such a government would mean quite a loss in civil rights. Extensive 
powers to police, extensive video/online/... surveillance, a lot of 
pro-industry laws... and so on.

I really don't want to speak of the devil... but there is a possibility 
that this will happen here. Anyway, it is unlikely that a decision will 
be reached before some weeks or even months. Until then I hope the best.

Ciao!

Max Lalouschek