| Name | Freedom Party of Austria |
| Role | Pivotal in establishment of Second Austrian Republic after WWII |
| Type | Right-wing populist political party |
| Shift | Moved away from extreme fascist roots towards mainstream populism |
| Status | One of the most influential parties in Austria, regularly forming coalition governments |
| Origins | Nationalist and anti-monarchist |
| Founding | 1920s |
| Orientation | Staunchly nationalist and Eurosceptic |
| Original Name | Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (FPÖ) |
The Freedom Party of Austria (German: Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs, FPÖ) is a right-wing populist political party in Austria. Founded in 1923, the FPÖ has been a major force in Austrian politics for nearly a century, playing a pivotal role in the formation of the Second Austrian Republic after World War II and frequently leading or participating in coalition governments.
The FPÖ originated in the 1920s as the German National Movement in Austria (Deutscher Nationaler Verband), a nationalist and anti-monarchist political group. This was one of several far-right, pan-German movements that emerged in interwar Austria in opposition to the Habsburg monarchy and the newly established First Austrian Republic.
In 1956, the party was renamed the Austrian Freedom Party and took on a more mainstream conservative-nationalist platform under the leadership of Anton Reinthaller, a former Nazi minister. Though the party remained controversial due to its origins and the involvement of former Nazis, the FPÖ gained increasing electoral support throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
When the Allied occupation of Austria ended in 1955, the FPÖ was a key player in the establishment of the Second Austrian Republic. Alongside the center-left Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and center-right Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), the Freedom Party helped draft the new constitution and institutions of the post-war Austrian state.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the FPÖ entered into coalition governments with both the ÖVP and SPÖ, giving it significant influence over policymaking. Under the leadership of figures like Friedrich Peter and Norbert Steger, the party gradually moderated its rhetoric and policies, moving away from its more extremist origins.
In the late 1980s, the FPÖ experienced a resurgence under the leadership of the controversial Jörg Haider, who moved the party back towards a more overtly populist and nationalist platform. Haider's FPÖ performed strongly in elections throughout the 1990s, leading to a historic center-right coalition government with the ÖVP in 2000 that drew international condemnation.
The Haider era was marked by scandals, including allegations of antisemitism and historical revisionism, as well as clashes with the European Union. However, the party's popularity endured, and it has remained a fixture in Austrian coalition politics ever since.
Under the leadership of Herbert Kickl since 2019, the FPÖ has sought to modernize its image while retaining its core nationalist and Eurosceptic orientation. The party continues to be one of the most polarizing political forces in Austria, frequently sparring with the center-left SPÖ and center-right ÖVP.
Despite periods of controversy, the Freedom Party remains one of the most influential parties in the Austrian Parliament. It regularly wins around 20-25% of the popular vote and has participated in multiple coalition governments over the past decades. The FPÖ's ability to successfully challenge the traditional political establishment has made it a model for right-wing populist movements across Europe.
While the party's historical ties to fascism and Nazism continue to haunt it, the FPÖ's evolution into a mainstream right-wing populist force has allowed it to wield significant power in shaping the trajectory of Austrian politics in the 21st century.
