Austria is heading toward a major political shift as the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) starts formal coalition talks with the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).
After winning the most votes in the recent national elections, the FPÖ now has a clear path to forming a government, potentially changing the country’s political landscape.
One of the FPÖ's central platforms is its strict immigration policy. The party has long advocated more rigid border controls, stricter naturalisation rules, and fewer rights for foreigners in Austria.
Led by Herbert Kickl, the FPÖ’s return to power is a possibility that has sparked concern among Austria’s foreign residents and minority groups. The party’s hardline stance on immigration and integration has made it a controversial choice, but its success in the polls has made coalition talks with the ÖVP unavoidable.
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The party has historically pushed for the promotion of Austrian culture and values, often at the expense of multiculturalism. This might result in increased pressure on foreign residents to conform to local customs and language requirements - at the same time as the FPÖ advocates for cutting benefits for foreigners.
Here's what else could change in an FPÖ government.
Tighter path to citizenship
One of the key points in the FPÖ’s election platform is the tightening of citizenship laws.
The party argues that Austrian citizenship should be a privilege reserved for those who fully assimilate into Austrian society. Under an FPÖ-led government, foreigners seeking citizenship could face more stringent requirements, including proving substantial integration and a longer period of residency. The party also wants applicants to prove they have assets in addition to income.
According to the FPÖ, "assimilation must be the guiding principle of any naturalisation process," with a clear focus on adopting Austrian values and culture. Additionally, the party wants to continue restricting dual citizenship and introduce measures that would allow revocation of citizenship in cases of criminal behaviour or "disrespect for Austria’s values."
For immigrants currently on the path to citizenship, these proposed policies could mean more hurdles, longer wait times and higher expectations for language proficiency and cultural integration.
READ ALSO: Austria's far-right aims to suspend granting of citizenship to 'non-Europeans'
Reduced access to social benefits and housing
Foreigners, even legal residents, could also see changes in their access to social benefits under an FPÖ government.
One of the party’s main objectives is to reserve welfare and social services for Austrian citizens. Their platform states, "We advocate linking the payment of social benefits to Austrian citizenship," suggesting that immigrants who are not yet citizens might see reduced access to financial support and housing assistance.
The FPÖ also advocates for prioritising Austrians regarding public housing and public university spots, particularly in Vienna, where demand is high.
The party’s platform emphasises that "the allocation of municipal and subsidised housing must be primarily directed towards Austrian citizens". This would leave many legal immigrants with fewer options for affordable housing, especially in urban areas.
Stricter residency and integration rules
Another area that could see significant change is residency rules and integration requirements for foreigners.
The FPÖ strongly believes that immigrants must "contribute positively to Austrian society" to maintain their residency status. The party wants to impose "strictest standards to ensure society can benefit from its future members".
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They also want to curb "marriages of convenience", so any residence permit obtained through marriage would be "thoroughly checked" and revoked if necessary.
Children would need to learn German before being accepted to Austrian schools, and the party wants to clamp down on "Anglicism": "Our time is characterised by a frantic desire to replace German terms with English ones", they said.
The party has also proposed expanding surveillance and deportation measures for foreign nationals who break the law, stating that "foreigners who engage in criminal activity must be expelled."
This rhetoric is part of a broader push to fight crime, which the FPÖ often attributes to non-Austrians.
Impact on Muslims and asylum seekers in Austria
An FPÖ-led government could also bring significant challenges for Austria’s Muslim community.
The party has been vocal about its opposition to what it calls "the political Islamisation" of Austria, with proposals that include enforcing stricter monitoring of mosques and Muslim organisations.
The FPÖ's platform explicitly calls for "fighting against oppressive symbols like the headscarf." Such measures could heighten social tension and create a more hostile environment for Muslims living in Austria.
An FPÖ government would also likely introduce more stringent measures against asylum seekers.
The party's manifesto calls for a complete overhaul of the asylum system, including temporarily suspending the right to asylum when Austria is "overburdened" and sending asylum seekers to extraterritorial migration centres outside Europe.
READ ALSO: 'Put Austrians first': Why Austria's far-right supporters stand behind the FPÖ
The FPÖ also advocates for restricting family reunification and making it harder or impossible for asylum seekers (and protected Ukrainians) to gain permanent residency or citizenship, even after prolonged stays in Austria.
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