The night before coalition talks begin in Austria, tens of thousands of Austrians took to the streets to protest. The demonstrators opposed the formation of a government led by the far-right FPÖ.
During the protest, it became known that the FPÖ and the conservative ÖVP had formally decided to start coalition talks, prompting jeers from the crowd. Austrian President Van der Bellen had earlier requested FPÖ leader Kickl to lead the coalition discussions.
The protesters gathered at the chancellor’s office in Vienna, holding banners reading ‘We don’t want a far-right Austria’ and ‘No FPÖ.’ They chanted “Kickl Out” and formed a human chain around the office to disrupt the coalition talks. Austrian media reported that between 25,000 and 50,000 people participated.
Former chancellor and ex-ÖVP leader Nehammer had previously ruled out talks with the FPÖ. However, under his successor Christian Stocker, the ÖVP favors a coalition agreement with the far-right party over holding early elections.
The protest was organized by social, church, environmental, and refugee organizations, who claim Austria faces an “authoritarian attack on democracy, human rights, environmental protection, and social cohesion.” Protests also occurred in other Austrian cities, including Graz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck, where hundreds demonstrated against a coalition with the FPÖ.
Source: NOS