Is this usurpation of office?

ÖVP furious: “Kickl does not represent Austria”

From the left: FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl and National Council President Walter Rosenkranz during Viktor Orbán's visit (front)

(Bild: APA/Alex Halada)

After National Council President Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ), the Freedom Party leader himself is now also under heavy criticism. Herbert Kickl and Hungary's head of government Viktor Orbán signed a "Vienna Declaration" on Thursday. The other parties do not like this - as Kickl is not officially allowed to represent Austria.

"Kickl's signing of his 'Vienna Declaration' on behalf of Austria is tantamount to political arrogance," said ÖVP Secretary General Christian Stocker on Friday. Green Party leader Sigrid Maurer also commented that Kickl could not sign anything for Austria.

As reported, the signed document is a summary of the most important principles of the FPÖ and Orbán's right-wing nationalist party Fidesz with regard to Europe.

The first sentence reads: "Hungary and Austria hereby reaffirm their neighborly friendship and their unshakeable historical and cultural ties." The topics addressed include direct democracy, the fight against illegal migration and different gender identities that are perceived as too much.

You can read the "Vienna Declaration" here:

Stocker: "Politics of provocation"
However, it is not so much the content that is causing a stir, but above all the fact that FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl has signed a declaration at all. ÖVP General Secretary Stocker also stated that Kickl "doesn't care about the democratic process". He has no mandate to govern and is continuing his policy of arrogance and provocation.

Stocker also once again criticized the fact that no EU flag was on display during Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán's visit to National Council President Rosenkranz. This showed the "comprehensive disdain for Austria and the EU with which Kickl is traveling".

NEOS: "Not in our name"
 The NEOS emphasized that the statement was not in their name. "Not in our beautiful country's name, Mr. Kickl", said party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger. "The FPÖ is dreaming of restructuring our republic along Hungarian lines," said the SPÖ.

FPÖ calls for Kogler's resignation
FPÖ Secretary General Christian Hafenecker in turn addressed the statements made by Werner Kogler. Among other things, he had described the Hungarian head of government in Vienna as an "anti-democrat" and a "Putin apologist". Orbán was not afraid to "pocket many billions". Hafenecker then demanded the resignation of the former Vice-Chancellor.

"In the world of the FPÖ, there is no freedom of opinion. Anyone who meets with anti-democrats, demagogues and kleptocrats who exploit their own people and ruin the country must be able to withstand criticism," countered Green Party leader Maurer.