FPÖ booted out

Hofer: “Imagine if I were president”

Norbert Hofer describes the relationship with FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl as "good".

(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

On Wednesday evening, outgoing Third President of the National Council Norbert Hofer (FPÖ) also criticized Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen's decision not to give FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl a government mandate. On "ZiB 2", he played out an interesting scenario of how he would have reacted in Van der Bellen's place if the Greens had come first. 

"Imagine I was Federal President, the Greens were the strongest party, but everyone else didn't want to work with them and so I didn't give them a mandate. The majority of Austrians would rightly not approve of that," emphasized Hofer in an interview with presenter Martin Thür. 

As a reminder: in 2016, Hofer was only defeated by Van der Bellen in the run-off election for the Hofburg.

According to Hofer, it has always been a good practice in Austria for the party with the most votes to win the government mandate after a federal election. "You never know beforehand whether something will come of it in the end," says Hofer.

Norbert Hofer describes the relationship with FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl as "good".

(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

"Never talked about content"
According to the FPÖ politician, the talks between party leaders Herbert Kickl, Karl Nehammer and Andreas Babler after the election never discussed content. 

Skepticism towards a three-party coalition
Hofer is skeptical about a possible three-party coalition between the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS: "It will be very difficult. We have the ÖVP, the NEOS and an avowed Marxist at the head of the SPÖ. How is that supposed to work?"

" Putsensitivities aside"
 However, the Freedom Party leader did not want to hide the fact that there are personal sensitivities between the party leaders. "But politicians are well paid and professionals. They have to put these sensitivities aside. At the end of the day, it's about Austria and a good location policy. And I can only drive that forward in a good constellation."

"Kickl has achieved great electoral success"
Hofer rejected the idea that the FPÖ might have to sacrifice Kickl in order to become chancellor. "I have to say that we as a party can still choose who is at the top. Kickl has achieved great electoral success, his hand is outstretched and the great attempt is there to bring together a government."

Hofer also denied that he would be available as Federal Chancellor if the ÖVP approached the FPÖ with this proposal: "Because I support the party as a whole in any constellation." According to him, each party determines its own personnel.