Kathy Tanner, a native of Belfast who grew up in Derry and Dublin before moving to Vienna at the age of 20, will be closely watching the upcoming parliamentary elections in Austria. She moved to Austria in 1972, had a successful acting career and is currently involved in political activism. She and her veteran Austrian mates fear that the radical right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) could secure an unprecedented postwar win this Sunday.
To oppose this, they have intensified their protests as part of the activist group Omas Gegen Rechts or ‘Grannies Against the Right’. This group was founded seven years ago after the FPÖ gained political power forming a coalition with the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP). This alliance however ended due to controversies and the ÖVP shifted its alliance to the Greens. However, this partnership seems on the verge of losing its majority for re-election.
Herbert Kickl, the leader of FPÖ, is attracting voters by pledging to turn Austria into a fortress and promises a solid stand against asylum if elected as the ‘Volkskanzler’, or people’s chancellor. Karl Nehammer, the incumbent ÖVP chancellor, has publicly criticised Kickl for his harsh stance on migration and his controversial record as interior minister. He maintains that he will not work with Kickl.
In a televised debate, Nehammer ensured that Kickl will not become chancellor. Hoping his party will take the lead this Sunday, the leader of the centre-right ÖVP is promising lower taxes, support for families and expedient support for flood victims. Despite this, the party’s popularity has slumped by 12 points since the last election, possibly because of another year of economic recession and inflation rates that exceed the EU average. Additionally, Nehammer is not perceived as charismatic as his predecessor, Sebastian Kurz, who was ousted amid corruption allegations.
The ÖVP has been focusing its campaign offensive on Kickl in the final weeks, trying to depict him as a disciple of authoritarian Viktor Orban and a pro-Russia pawn.
The former claim is seen as debatable considering Austria continues to rely on Russia for 83% of its gas supplies, in comparison to the European Union’s average of 15%.
Pundits familiar with the political landscape predict that the upcoming Sunday election may not clearly indicate an immediate coalition. If the People’s Party (ÖVP) performs well, we may see Nehammer insist on an alliance with the Freedom Party (FPÖ) without Kickl, or seek a trifecta alliance with its Social Democrat (SPÖ) and liberal Neos opponents.
Disparaging the latter collaboration as a “coalition of losers”, Kickl justifies this as another evidence of a prevailing conspiracy of mainstream political parties and media institutions against his own party and their followers.
According to political commentator Thomas Hofer, Kickl could be appeased with a robust election result and a subsequent stint in the opposition, considering the challenging economic future. “He’s well aware that the next government will be hard-pressed to deliver good news,” Hofer states. “His distinctive selection of words and topics make him seem genuine to his fanbase.”
Kickl has had a distinguished influence over the populist character of the FPÖ over the last three decades, particularly its distinctive rhyming, racially charged language.
He was instrumental in helping Jörg Haider secure the inaugural FPÖ alignment with the ÖVP in 2000, an event that led to sanctions from the European Union in the same year.
Twenty-five years later, it seems unlikely that there will be more sanctions, considering right-wing and extreme-right factions currently constitute 15% of European Parliament seats.
As more of Europe gravitates towards far-right politics – driven by dissatisfaction, fear over irregular migration, security, and the cost of living – so has Omas Gegen Rechts grown in influence.
Monica Salzer, the group’s founder who is also a psychotherapist and theologian based in Vienna, now aims to raise awareness among the youth in Austria about the peril of an anti-democratic uprising. “Considering Europe’s shift towards right-wing politics, we need more unity and open dialogue,” she claims.
Mariahilfer shopping district in Vienna is a favourite haunt for soliciting passersby. It’s here that the Omas usually appear wearing their iconic woollen “pussyhats” with ears, while humming their latest hip hop tune titled, “Democracy is not a Gift.” Its repeated verse: “Democracy has to be protected and nurtured.”
The elderly group of ladies welcome the attention of the younger buyers, though not all are ready to turn against Herbert Kickl. Jonas, a 17-year-old aspiring carpenter enjoying an energy beverage, finds Kickl’s FPÖ’s suggestions to deport foreign criminals and abolish asylum seeker welfare payments compelling. Jonas expresses his concern that borders are excessively permeable, and that seemingly only the FPÖ is concerned about security.
Whilst conversing with the young folk, the senior citizens of Vienna – some of whom lived through the war – never belittle their worries. Instead, they take the opportunity to remind the youth that the last political leader who labelled himself as the people’s chancellor, was none other than Adolf Hitler.
In Kathy Tanner’s words, “We’re not on a mission to dismiss the FPÖ outright. What we’re advocating for is to uphold democracy.” The elderly group seems to be making a notable impact, particularly in shaking up the leaders and advocates of the FPÖ on social media platforms.
In a humorous tone, Kathy recounts a recent social media interaction in which she was labelled a witch, with the taunt that women like them would have been executed in the 1600s. In response, Tanner chuckles and states, “we witches are a force to be faced.”