The Party of the European Left (EL) welcomes the defeat of the far right in the presidential elections in Austria. Today it has won the Austrian people that has joined to give the victory to the independent and former leading member of the Austrian green party Alexander Van der Bellen and prevent Austria became the first country in Europe to be chaired by the leading figure of a party that has its roots in Nazism and is deeply xenophobic, misogynistic a reactionary. Today the democracy has triumphed in Austria and in Europe. 

The candidate of the ultra-nationalist Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), Norbert Hofer, has acknowledged his defeat and has ensured that he will not contest the elections as he did few months ago with the arguments that the votes by mail were opened before time. The difference between the two candidates in the previous elections was of little more than 31,000 votes. The ecologist won with 50.3% and the ultra-nationalist party thought that this time could overtake him.

But it has happened just the opposite and this time the independent candidate has been reinforced increasing the gap with Hofer. One of the reasons for this difference has been the increase in electoral participation, aware of the symbolic character that the outcome of these elections would have in Europe, especially after the Brexit and the victory of Trump in United States

Alexander van der Bellen is by no means a progressive candidate. And although he is part and parcel of the neoliberal system, he is a democrat. He opposes nationalism and xenophobia and he will honour the Austrian constitution.

In any case the EL calls not lower the guard as the Austrian far right party remains at the top of the intention to vote for the legislative elections of 2018, which might well come as early as May 2017, as the conservative – social democratic government is getting more and more unpopular due to their inability to solve burning social problems like the highest unemployment rate in 70 years or a housing crisis. The EL also recalls that the far right and ultra-nationalism advance in France, Holland and Germany that held elections next year. Therefore insists that it is the responsibility of the left curb such progress and give a political, economic and social alternative to the peoples of Europe.