The Organised Far Right in Austria: Covid-19 and Online and Offline Media

Abstract

The organised far right in Austria is characterised by its high degree of institutionalisation, which is closely tied to its representation in the parliament FPÖ. Controversial political figures such as Jörg Haider and HC Strache have recruited large numbers of voters based on their aggressive provocations and xenophobic as well as anti-immigrant discourses. Under populist leaders, the party has celebrated electoral victories but also sharp downfalls. Most recently, in 2019, the coalition between the centre-right ÖVP (chancellor Sebastian Kurz) and the right-wing populist FPÖ (vice-chancellor HC Strache) was dissolved after the publication of the so-called Ibiza video. As a consequence, the FPÖ had lost its most prominent figure as well as major chunks of its voter base and had to restructure. The more liberal Norbert Hofer competed with Herbert Kickl to become party chairman and to confront Covid-19 prevention related-policies of the government. In this internal struggle, traditional media, right-wing magazines, Internet platforms and social media played crucial roles...