Austria’s New Chancellor Pushes EU Asylum Reform Under Far-Right Pressure

Austria’s new Chancellor, Christian Stocker, is calling for a sweeping overhaul of the EU’s asylum laws, arguing they no longer serve their original purpose. Facing growing pressure from the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), Stocker seeks to position his government as tough on immigration while maintaining Austria’s EU commitments.

The Freedom Party, which won the largest share of votes in the 2024 election, has been excluded from the ruling coalition but continues to shape the political agenda. In response, Stocker has halted family reunification for asylum seekers and backed stricter migration controls, citing concerns about youth crime and strained public services.

Despite similarities to the far-right’s stance, Stocker insists his party’s approach is more moderate and legally grounded. His government argues that reforming EU rules is necessary to address modern migration challenges and preserve social cohesion across Europe.

As debates intensify, Austria’s policies could influence broader EU migration reform, with member states closely watching how Vienna balances domestic pressures and European obligations.