Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has secured a historic victory in the national elections, garnering approximately 29.1% of the vote, surpassing the ruling conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), which received 26.2%. Despite this win, it remains uncertain whether the FPÖ can form a government due to the reluctance of other parties to form a coalition with its polarizing leader, Herbert Kickl. The FPÖ's campaign capitalized on voter concerns over migration, inflation, and COVID restrictions, reflecting a broader European trend of rising support for far-right parties. Kickl, who has shifted the FPÖ further to the right since taking over in 2021, has proposed stringent anti-immigration policies and criticized EU sanctions against Russia. The election result underscores a significant shift in Austrian politics and highlights growing populist sentiment in Europe.