The article discusses the EU election in Austria as an example of a Second-Order or side election in a distinctly Eurosceptic environment. As this took place only a short time before the Austrian national election, the effects of the European election on the national election are also presented. The article provides an empirical analysis of the election programmes of Austrian parties for the European election and a consideration of the discursive and strategic effects of the “double election” constellation on the positioning of Austrian parties. Firstly, we show that the European election in Austria was indeed a side election. Secondly, we demonstrate that the temporal sequence of side election and national election led to the majority of parties positioning themselves according to the distinct Austrian national political environment at the time, that is either Eurosceptic or populist. Thirdly, we show that the European election had significant effects on the national election. In view of the electoral victories of the populist and hard Eurosceptic FPÖ in both elections, fourthly, no Austrian impulses for the progress of the European integration process are to be expected for the time being.