Corruption Scandals Engulf European Politics, Fueling Far-Right Gains
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A wave of corruption scandals has washed over Europe's political establishment, providing fuel for far-right parties to cast "the system" as crooked and harmful to "normal" people.
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Austria has seen a string of scandals exposing systemic corruption in the governing ÖVP party, buoying the far-right FPÖ party which has enjoyed a lead in polls for over a year.
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The FPÖ is poised for one of its greatest election victories yet under hardline leader Herbert Kickl, who may soon be sitting alongside Hungary's Viktor Orbán in the EU Council.
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Leaked audio revealed the former head of Austria's justice ministry claiming ÖVP leaders pressured him to kill investigations into their political corruption.
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While the FPÖ has its own past corruption issues, Austrian voters seem more forgiving due to the party's radical rhetoric and ambitious promises to tackle political problems.