European right-wing parties revel in election victory of Austria's far right

Head of Freedom Party (FPOe) Herbert Kickl celebrates, as vote projections show that FPOe won the general election, in Vienna, Austria, September 29, 2024. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

VIENNA (Reuters) - Political parties on the European right celebrated Sunday's parliamentary election victory by Austria's Freedom Party (FPO) as a boost for national conservatives amid advances by the hard right fuelled by worries about immigration.

Led by Herbert Kickl, who capitalised on a misfiring economy and concerns that Austria has taken in people faster than it can integrate them, the FPO won around 29% of the vote, a record result that may give it a platform to lead the next government.