The FPÖ in conflict

Kickl demonizes the competition and seeks partners

Looking for partners: Kickl feels disadvantaged.

(Bild: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK)

FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl reported on his conversation with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen on Saturday morning. The Freedom Party leader criticized the behaviour of other party leaders after the election - and nevertheless made one of them an offer.

Van der Bellen and Kickl have been in "regular exchange of ideas" for years, the blue party leader explained to numerous media representatives at the FPÖ headquarters. The conversation was "very direct" and yet different: "This time I was there as a representative, as an advocate, as the mouthpiece of 1.4 million voters."

He would have let the Federal President know that there was "only one winner" of the election - and not many, as is often claimed. Kickl classified the behaviour of other parties as problematic, saying that democratic practices were being outlawed.

The will of the voters would be undermined by "backroom dealings", Kickl apparently alluded to the rapprochement and a first planned meeting between the ÖVP and SPÖ on Tuesday. 

Kickl met with Federal President Van der Bellen on Friday.

(Bild: AFP/JOE KLAMAR)

Kickl sees voters' will disregarded
Austria had put its "foot down" in the National Council elections: "Trust and mistrust have been redistributed." In his statement, Kickl repeatedly used his election campaign slogans. "This result is a clear mandate to bring five good years for Austria." A mandate for a new leadership that sees itself as a "tool of the voters".

Kickl sharply attacked the rest of the party landscape. In his opinion, they would pursue the following motto: "If it's up to us, we'll do what we want. No matter how you voted." He appealed: the voters were not wrong, just as they had not been wrong in 2019 when they withdrew their trust in the FPÖ.

In Kickl's view, it was time to face up to the "democratic reality". Maintaining the party's power must take second place. The FPÖ is now looking for cooperation in order to achieve the best possible outcome in a difficult situation. Kickl referred to the high budget deficit - and accused the turquoise-green government of a cover-up. 

Kickl in search of partners
The timing of the announcement was "certainly no coincidence". He then listed the challenges of our time: from the healthcare sector to geopolitical conflicts. But much greater than these problems is his will to solve them.

His rant was followed by an offer: his plans now require partners and a broad foundation for cooperation. The expectations of the population had to be met and "everyone" had to be subordinate. He had also told Van der Bellen this.

Kickl made it clear who his partner could be, without naming names. The FPÖ leader was clearly looking in the direction of the ÖVP and Karl Nehammer. A future government must be stable. This would be the case if two parties with a "large surplus of mandates" were to form a coalition. A "coalition of losers" - and therefore a sugar-coalition - would be a "slap in the face of the sovereign."

Kickl wants to become Federal Chancellor
One or two party leaders need to be "shaken up". The Freedom Party leader told the SPÖ that "firewalls" against democratic parties are walls against democracy.

"The Federal President now knows that we as the FPÖ want to lead the next government. (...) He now knows first-hand." It is also clear: with him as Federal Chancellor at the helm. Kickl did not want to make any statements by the Federal President public; that was up to Van der Bellen himself. The ball is now in the head of state's court. Kickl did not allow any questions afterwards.

Karl Nehammer and Andreas Babler will then appear before the Federal President on Monday. Normally, the President's mandate to form a government goes to the first-placed candidate in an election. The FPÖ apparently lacks the partners for this - at least so far ...