Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has entered a new chapter, party leader Herbert Kickl told supporters, following an unprecedented election win. The FPÖ secured 29.2% of the vote, according to provisional results, placing them nearly three points ahead of the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), which garnered 26.5%. Despite this lead, the FPÖ fell short of an outright majority.

Kickl hailed the victory as part of a broader surge of far-right electoral successes across Europe, thanking voters for their “optimism, courage, and trust” in making history. However, while the FPÖ has been in government coalitions before, the ÖVP, led by incumbent Chancellor Karl Nehammer, has ruled out forming a government under Kickl. Nehammer said it was “impossible to form a government with someone who adores conspiracy theories.”

The election saw a high turnout of 74.9%, with key campaign issues centering around migration, asylum, the economy, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. FPÖ general secretary Michael Schnedlitz praised the results, declaring that “the men and women of Austria have made history today,” though he refrained from commenting on possible coalition plans.

Preliminary analysis suggested that voters aged 35-59 were the strongest supporters of the far-right party, with a slight edge in support among women. Postal votes were still being counted on Monday morning.