Site icon Morn News

Austria elects far-right parliamentary speaker

Austria elects far-right parliamentary speaker
Austrian parliamentarians elected Walter Rosenkranz of the FPÖ to the second-highest position in government. The appointment comes after the Freedom Party won an unprecedented election victory in September…

Austrian parliamentarians elected Walter Rosenkranz of the FPÖ to the second-highest position in government. The appointment comes after the Freedom Party won an unprecedented election victory in September.


Walter Rosenkranz of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) was chosen by Austrian lawmakers on Thursday to serve as their new speaker. The position, which is the second most important in the nation after the presidency, has never been held by a far-right politician before.

The strongest party in the body has historically held the position. The FPÖ defeated the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) in the September national parliamentary elections with 28.9% of the vote, but they were unable to secure a majority.

Thursday’s tally in the inaugural session of the new National Assembly — Austria’s lower house — saw Rosenkranz garner 100 of 183 votes. Green Party politicians voted against him in a unified front and numerous lawmakers from other parties voted against him as well.

Rosenkranz previously led his party’s caucus in the body.

Austria elects far-right parliamentary speaker
Austrian parliamentarians elected Walter Rosenkranz of the FPÖ to the second-highest position in government. The appointment comes after the Freedom Party won an unprecedented election victory in September…

Austrian parliamentarians elected Walter Rosenkranz of the FPÖ to the second-highest position in government. The appointment comes after the Freedom Party won an unprecedented election victory in September.


Austrian parliamentarians on Thursday elected Walter Rosenkranz of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) to be their new speaker. It is the first time that a far-right politician has held the job, the second-most important in the country after that of president.

The position is traditionally held by the strongest party in the body. In September, the FPÖ took 28.9% of the vote in national parliamentary elections, outpacing the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), yet falling short of winning a majority.

Thursday’s tally in the inaugural session of the new National Assembly — Austria’s lower house — saw Rosenkranz garner 100 of 183 votes. Green Party politicians voted against him in a unified front and numerous lawmakers from other parties voted against him as well.

Rosenkranz previously led his party’s caucus in the body.

Jewish groups in the country warned vehemently against electing him to the position, pointing out, among other things, his membership in a far-right fraternity.

The anti-European FPÖ has also been accused of not distancing itself from far-right extremism.

It has also been alleged that the anti-European FPÖ has failed to distance itself from far-right extremism.

Exit mobile version