Description: Deadly attack unfolded in the Austrian city of Villach where 23 – old Syrian national went on a stabbing spree injuring 5 people and leaving a 14 – year old boy with fatal injuries. The individual was later detained on sight and additional discoveries have shown him to have had ties and ideological aspirations which aligned with the extremist terrorist organization Islamic State. The attack further incentivized Austrian politicians to unfold a basin of criticism towards the government in power which was especially criticized by the Freedom Party’s leader Herber Kickl who called upon the strengthening of migration laws and screening of foreigners to be intensified.
Impact: With last weeks botched attempts of forming a government, the far – right leadership of the Freedom Party has intensively criticized the current Austrian government and called upon stricter migration laws and screening process. The rise of far – right populist parties has been recently perfectly aligned with attacks from immigrants mostly originating from the Middle East as a similar car attack unfolded last week in Munich, Germany. Austria is currently on the brink of political crisis as far – right leader Herbert Kickl couldn’t conform with other political entities to form a government since most parties from the Austrian political echelon have strenuously objected towards cooperating with Kickl’s far – right Freedom Party. The rise in popularity for far – right parties is expected to rise in Europe, in line with the deadly lone – wolf attacks which could stigmatize Europe into further political transformation.