In Austria, Elections Will Weaken the Ruling Elites

Two Austrian political parties that challenge the ruling elites will play a major role in the country's general elections on Sept. 29. The nationalist and anti-immigration Freedom Party of Austria is expected to earn more votes than it has in the past 15 years, and the newly created Team Stronach party, which opposes the euro, also is expected to perform strongly. Even if these parties do not enter a government coalition, their electoral performance is a reminder that anti-establishment rhetoric is becoming increasingly popular even in Austria, the country with the lowest unemployment rate in the European Union.