ABSTRACT
Genuine liberal parties are a recent phenomenon in Austria. In the past, liberal values were incorporated by several parties and especially during the 1970s, the Freiheitliche Partei Osterreichs embraced elements of liberalism. The Liberal Forum continued to exist and made comeback attempts in 2002 and 2008, but to no avail. Yet, in 2012, a new liberal party was founded: NEOS – Das Neue Osterreich. The chapter analyses the Liberalen Forums (LIF), as a historic party, and NEOS, the current liberal party of Austria. It discusses the origins and development of genuine liberal parties in Austria and thus covers LIF and NEOS. The chapter focuses on the currently active liberal party, NEOS. It describes the policy profile of NEOS and the party's structure and organisation. NEOS experienced a quick upsurge in the polls after the 2013 election, yet by early 2015 had reverted to its 2013 strength.
