VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria's Beer Party will run in this year's parliamentary election even though it's still well short of its own funding target, its leader said on Tuesday, buoyed by growing support and choosing to see the glass as half-full.

The Austrian rock musician and politician Dominik Wlazny will be a candidate for his Beer Party in parliamentary elections later this year. Wlazny, also known by his stage name Marco Pogo, caused a stir when he received more than 8% of the vote in the 2022 Austrian presidential elections.

Austria’s Beer Party, originally established as a joke in 2015, is now set to make a serious entry into this year’s parliamentary elections. Founded by Dominik Vlatsny, a doctor and rock musician, the party has evolved from a humorous initiative into a political group that could potentially influence the distribution of votes among traditional parties.