First results show Freedom Party leads Austria’s general election

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer speaks to media at a polling station in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 29, 2024. The first results from Austria’s parliamentary election held here on Sunday showed that the far-right Freedom Party is leading the national vote and set to secure its first-ever general election win, according to media reports. (Xinhua/He Canling)
VIENNA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) — The first results from Austria’s parliamentary election held here on Sunday showed that the far-right Freedom Party is leading the national vote and set to secure its first-ever general election win, according to media reports.
The Freedom Party is projected to win 29.1 percent of the vote, well ahead of the ruling conservative People’s Party with 26.2 percent of support, according to a projection published by Austrian broadcaster ORF and news agency APA shortly after the polls closed at 5 p.m. local time.
This marks a significant gain for the Freedom Party compared to the general election in 2019 when the party garnered 16.2 percent of support. The People’s Party, however, received a major blow, as it received 37.5 percent of the vote in the previous election.
The projection put the Social Democratic Party firmly in the third place in Sunday’s election with 20.4 percent of the vote, slightly down from 21.2 percent in the 2019 election. ■

Leader of Austria’s Freedom Party Herbert Kickl (C) celebrates with supporters in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 29, 2024.
The first results from Austria’s parliamentary election held here on Sunday showed that the far-right Freedom Party is leading the national vote and set to secure its first-ever general election win, according to media reports. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Voters are seen at a polling station in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 29, 2024.
The first results from Austria’s parliamentary election held here on Sunday showed that the far-right Freedom Party is leading the national vote and set to secure its first-ever general election win, according to media reports. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Andreas Babler, chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Austria, speaks to media at a polling station in Lower Austria, Austria, Sept. 29, 2024.
The first results from Austria’s parliamentary election held here on Sunday showed that the far-right Freedom Party is leading the national vote and set to secure its first-ever general election win, according to media reports. (Photo by Georges Schneider/Xinhua)

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen (L, front) walks to a polling station in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 29, 2024.
The first results from Austria’s parliamentary election held here on Sunday showed that the far-right Freedom Party is leading the national vote and set to secure its first-ever general election win, according to media reports. (Xinhua/He Canling)

A voter carrying a baby (front) walks to a polling station in Vienna, Austria, Sept. 29, 2024.
The first results from Austria’s parliamentary election held here on Sunday showed that the far-right Freedom Party is leading the national vote and set to secure its first-ever general election win, according to media reports. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Leader of Austria’s Freedom Party Herbert Kickl speaks to media at a polling station in Lower Austria, Austria, Sept. 29, 2024.
The first results from Austria’s parliamentary election held here on Sunday showed that the far-right Freedom Party is leading the national vote and set to secure its first-ever general election win, according to media reports. (Photo by Georges Schneider/Xinhua)