Kurz was responsible for closing the Western Balkan immigration route, from Turkey to Germany and to Scandinavia, explains Werner Fasslabend of the Austrian Institute for European Policy & Security.
The results of Sunday’s Austrian parliamentary elections show a clear shift to the right.
Sebastian Kurz, leader of the Austrian People’s Party (OVP), is poised to become Chancellor after his center-right group secured around 31 percent of the vote. The right-wing Freedom Party (FPO) with leader Heinz-Christian Strache is set to grab second place with over 27 percent.
Both parties support the tightening of Austria’s borders and toughening up on immigration.