Sven Hergovich (SPÖ):

“Kickl-Mikl pact was decided in Lower Austria”

(Bild: krone.tv)

Black-Blue has now been in power in Lower Austria for a year. For Sven Hergovich, this is an omen for the national elections: "The Kickl-Mikl pact was concluded in Lower Austria. I believe that there are strong voices in both the FPÖ and the ÖVP who want to repeat this at federal level," the SPÖ regional party leader is certain in the krone.tv talk.

Hergovich believes that statements by Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP), the governor of the province, that no deal can be struck with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl are implausible. "Before the state elections, she said exactly the same thing about the FPÖ Lower Austria. And the FPÖ said that she was the mother of compulsory vaccination, the main opponent with whom they didn't want to work under any circumstances. After the election, both did the opposite." Hergovich would like to see more "honest" work here. "You have to keep your word."

"SPÖ/ÖVP can certainly work"
Hergovich does not regret that the SPÖ did not cooperate with the ÖVP in Lower Austria. He would even have preferred to chop off his hand during the negotiations with the ÖVP instead of making compromises, as he explained in an interview at the time. "I can't be bought by any posts. I will only sign a pact if it makes life better for the people of Lower Austria." However, a coalition between the SPÖ and ÖVP at federal level could "certainly work". "If we work together and put what we have in common above what divides us, we can make a lot of progress here."

SPÖ state party chairman Sven Hergovich

(Bild: krone.tv)

According to Hergovich, the healthcare system in Lower Austria needs to move forward as quickly as possible: employees are migrating to other federal states in droves "because the pay and working conditions are better there". His appeal: make the profession more attractive and raise salaries.

Watch the full interview with Sven Hergovich in the video above!