Specter of Nazi Hate in Austria

The European Union has taken the extraordinary step of threatening to politically isolate Austria, one of its members, if the far-right Freedom Party joins a coalition government. A statement from the EU warns that Austria’s 14 partners would suspend all bilateral political contacts, limit the activities of Vienna’s ambassadors in their capitals and refuse to support any Austrian candidacy for international organizations if the Freedom Party, which many see as neo-Nazi in orientation, is invited to share power. Portugal’s Prime Minister Antonio Guterres summed up the EU view: “If a party which has expressed xenophobic views and which does not abide by the essential values of the European family comes to power, naturally we won’t be able to continue the same relations as in the past. . . . “

The Freedom Party won 27% of the vote in last October’s elections. Since then negotiations between the mainstream conservative People’s Party and the Social Democrats have failed to retain their longtime governing coalition, and the People’s Party is now talking about forming a coalition with the Freedom Party.

Joerg Haider, the charismatic Freedom Party leader, is notorious for occasionally voicing nostalgia for Austria’s Nazi past. He says he wants to expel immigrants from the country and block any expansion of the EU to Eastern Europe. While Haider himself would not join a new government, his party would expect half the Cabinet seats.

The EU’s unprecedented response reflects its anxiety over Austria’s earlier history of anti-Semitism and partnership with Nazi Germany, as well as EU concern that giving the Freedom Party governing responsibilities could energize extreme right-wing movements elsewhere in Europe. Fair warning has been given. Austria will be inviting deserved pariah status if it rewards a party based on hate-mongering.