A grand coalition for Austria?

Reinhard Olt examines why right-wing extremists were able to win around 15 percent of the vote in the Austrian elections: "Telling themselves that the 'bogeyman of Islam' and the widespread feeling of discontent with alleged EU centralism guided many voters at the ballot won't be of any great consolation to the major parties. Schüssel and the ÖVP obviously failed to use Austria's EU presidency to boost their citizens' pride and self-confidence. Moreover, Schüssel has failed to soothe voters' fears about EU enlargement and to convince them of the country's economic opportunities which are immense for a country which has shifted to 'Europe's centre'."

» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Austria