Austria's far-right Freedom Party projected to finish first in general election

The far-right Freedom Party finished first in the Austrian general election, early projections show.

Led by Herbert Kickl, a former interior minister who was dismissed over the country's Ibiza scandal, the party is projected to finish first on 29.1% of the vote, according to election researchers Arge Wahlen for PULS 24 TV.

They are projected to finish ahead of the ruling conservatives on 26.2%. The centre-left Social Democrats were in third place with 20.4%.

The far-right group is expected to be in pole position to form a coalition for the first time since the Second World War, though it is unclear if they will be able to secure a partner.

"The other parties should ask themselves where they stand on democracy," Mr Kickl said on Sunday, arguing that they should "sleep on the result".

The party has tapped into anxieties including around immigration, inflation and the war in Ukraine and its strong performance follows recent gains for the far-right elsewhere in Europe.

Mr Kickl, who wants to become Austria's new chancellor, has drawn criticism for his use of the term "Volkskanzler," or chancellor of the people, which was used by the Nazis to describe Adolf Hitler in the 1930s. He has rejected the comparison.

Rivals have said they will not work with Mr Kickl, whose party calls for the "remigration of uninvited foreigners" and suspending the right to asylum to create "fortress Austria".

In order to become the country's new leader he would need a coalition partner with whom he could command a majority in the lower house of parliament.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, who oversees the formation of governments, told political parties to hold talks with each other.

"Now it's about reaching out to each other, talking to each other, negotiating to find good, solid compromises. Finding these solutions can take time, and ladies and gentlemen, it is time well spent."

Read more from Sky News:
At least 129 die in Nepal floods
Beirut 'like a horror movie'

The Freedom Party has been critical of Western military aid to Ukraine and called for an end to sanctions against Russia.

In his closing campaign speech on Saturday, Mr Kickl claimed sanctions against Moscow over the war were hurting Austria even more than Russia.

The party also calls for a welfare system where benefits are linked to citizenship, an increase in police numbers, a ban on "political Islam", a two-gender constitutional determination, and more referendums so voters can vote out cabinet ministers.

(c) Sky News 2024: Austria's far-right Freedom Party projected to finish first in general election