FPÖ seeks partners

Livestream: Kickl on conversation with Nehammer

Herbert Kickl is currently pretty much on his own.

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl reported on his conversation with Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Wednesday. The Freedom Party leader is disgruntled about the ÖVP leader's statements. However, he still wants to work together with the People's Party ...

Kickl wanted to make a contribution to "transparency", the Freedom Party leader explained on Wednesday afternoon. Nehammer's words were "strange", he accused the Chancellor of being impulsive. Kickl: "Why the rush?" Someone wanted to "close the bag".

The FPÖ leader criticized personal interests: "Even two weeks after the election, the Chancellor is still stuck in election campaign rhetoric." He had experienced an "insulted and offended" ÖVP leader. Kickl was surprised at the widespread unwillingness to work with him. An opportunity was being missed here.

He missed "confidence" on the big issues within the ÖVP. The "Nehammer text" had already been written before he had spoken to Kickl. The blue chairman had also heard the same "building blocks" in private conversations. The motto was: keep the door closed to avoid "positives". According to Kickl, Nehammer was concerned with retaining the "chancellor's chair". In this respect, the conversation was "enlightening".

Kickl does not give up
The aim was to convince the ÖVP that the joint government work up until the Ibiza scandal had been "good for Austria". Both protagonists of the former turquoise-blue coalition, former chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his blue deputy Heinz-Christian Strache, are now "gone". In terms of content, the majority had chosen a center-right path.

"I have tried to put what we have in common above what divides us, so that we can take a step forward," explained Kickl about the conversation with Nehammer. The FPÖ leader had tried to "relax": "Cooperation cannot only be possible between friends, professionalism is important now because the future of our country is at stake."

This principle must be applied to politics: "It is not at all uncommon for a friendship to develop from camaraderie. The decisive point is the will to enter into a process of negotiation and then gradually build trust for a future coalition."

FPÖ already has an exploratory plan
For exploratory talks, the FPÖ would also have liked a "joint assessment of the situation" and a cash flow analysis. The FPÖ had also prepared a roadmap for exploratory talks. This comprises six thematic blocks, from the economy to asylum and health. The start was planned for October 22, the end for November 14.

Kickl concluded by asking the journalists present: "Who here is not ready for responsibility?" Nehammer must now move. "We will both have to move." The other option for Türkis is the Babler-SPÖ. The Freedom Party member fears a further "swing to the left". He appeals to the "sensible representatives" of the People's Party: "It's not up to us!"

ÖVP leader closes the door on Kickl
Kickl and Nehammer had met for talks on Tuesday after the National Council elections, as instructed by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. Nehammer then once again ruled out a coalition with Kickl and left no good hair on his interlocutor's head.

"As Federal Chancellor, I will not act as a stooge for Herbert Kickl, just as I would not do so as Federal Party Chairman," he made clear. This is "not a question of sympathy between the two of us, it is not a question of whether one likes the other".

Does not want to work with Kickl: Karl Nehammer

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

It was a question of "political action" and Kickl had often shown in the past that he was not prepared to take responsibility. Nehammer obviously sees no basis for cooperation.

Kickl had repeatedly acted against the interests of Austrians. "With his affection for horses and investments in this area". The FPÖ leader had also opened the door to Russian interests and spread conspiracy theories, for example in relation to the WHO.

ÖVP General is also critical of Kickl
The ÖVP General Secretary Christian Stocker also issued another rebuff on Wednesday. "Kickl is desperately trying to become Federal Chancellor, acting in a snivelling and transparent manner", he wrote in a press release.

Kickl is desperately trying to become Federal Chancellor, acting in a snivelling and transparent manner.

Christian Stocker, ÖVP-Generalsekretär

The FPÖ leader himself had made it unmistakably clear that there would only be government cooperation with the FPÖ with him as chancellor - "but that will not happen with the People's Party". According to Stocker, Kickl is "a divider, not a bridge builder or a candidate for chancellor".

Is the "Zuckerl coalition" coming?
The most likely coalition variant alongside Blue-Turquoise is currently the "Zuckerlkoalition" consisting of ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS. Kickl described this variant as a "coalition of losers".

There will be talks in this direction in the coming days: NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger will meet the Chancellor on Wednesday and the SPÖ leader on Thursday, a spokesperson confirmed a corresponding article in the "Presse". There will be "no communication" about these talks for the time being.