VdB gets upset

The Federal President as a “repeat offender”

The Federal President has put his foot down. He did not task election winner Herbert Kickl with forming a government. And thus incurred the displeasure of many.

(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

ÖVP state governors are angry about Alexander Van der Bellen's decision not to appoint Herbert Kickl to form a government. Once again, they fear an increased "martyr effect" for the blue party.

On 25 January 2023, Alexander Van der Bellen made a momentous statement on ORF. The Federal President left open whether he would appoint FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl as chancellor.

Four days later, there were state elections in Lower Austria. And ÖVP incumbent Johanna Mikl-Leitner recorded a drop of ten percent. The FPÖ with Udo Landbauer, on the other hand, made strong gains.

Styria goes to the polls on November 24
The Federal President has done it again. His decision not to entrust FPÖ election winner Herbert Kickl with forming a government incurred the displeasure of ÖVP provincial governors. And from FPÖ sympathizers. The Federal President is effectively a "repeat offender" as an involuntary election helper for the FPÖ and power spoiler for the ÖVP. This is apparently the view in parts of the ÖVP. Styria goes to the polls on November 24. State leader Christopher Drexler is in danger of losing first place to the FPÖ.

Mario Kunasek (FPÖ, left in picture) with Styrian governor Christopher Drexler (ÖVP)

(Bild: Jauschowetz Christian/Christian Jauschowetz)

The presidential decision could mean additional negative momentum and thus deal a serious blow to the Chancellor's party in general. And give the Blue Party a huge success. Motto: "Now more than ever!" Martyr effect with announcement. "This effect will now be amplified," says political analyst Thomas Hofer. "What's more, it's not just FPÖ voters who show a lack of understanding about not commissioning the First."

Former Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) also felt compelled to make a statement. He described Van der Bellen's decision to "Heute" as "undemocratic". Vienna's SPÖ Mayor Michael Ludwig countered: "It's bizarre that Kurz is criticizing the President, because it was he himself who suggested dismissing the then Interior Minister Kickl."

"He thought Kickl would otherwise have shown up the ÖVP"
One of the triggers for everything was the ORF interview in January 2023, which was a serious mistake, according to Hofer. Van der Bellen had deliberately accepted the negative emotions and did not want to hand over the reins to him. "Because he feared that he would then show up the ÖVP". Even if the president had tasked him with forming the government, "Kickl would have celebrated the problems with the ÖVP on issues. It was a win-win situation for him right from the start."