But criticism of VdB

Hahn puts FPÖ election victory into perspective: “72% tick differently”

Johannes Hahn puts the victory of Herbert Kickl's FPÖ in the 2024 National Council elections into perspective.

(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Outgoing EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn has indirectly criticized Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. The ÖVP politician would have liked FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl to have been given the task of forming the government.

When asked whether it had been a mistake not to give Kickl the task of forming the government, Hahn said in an interview with ORF radio: "From a European, international perspective, I would have liked Mr. Kickl to have had the opportunity to try it out, but then everyone would have seen: It didn't work."

Ultimately, the ÖVP politician said, it was important to send the following message to Europe: "Yes, the FPÖ is number one after the national elections, but they only have 28 percent and 72 percent tick differently."

From a European, international perspective, I would have liked Mr. Kickl to have the opportunity to try this out so that everyone could see: It didn't work.

Der scheidende EU-Kommissar Johannes Hahn

But he did not want to give the Federal President a recommendation, Hahn emphasized in the interview broadcast on Ö1's "Mittagsjournal" on Saturday.

Hahn also wants to "give a three-party coalition a chance"
Hahn was cautious about the chances of success of the emerging three-party coalition between the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS. "That now depends on the quality of how they come together, what the program is. To be honest, everyone should be given a chance here," he said when asked whether this coalition could last five years.

"Period of constant upheaval"
Hahn attributed the fact that parties classified as "far right" are currently successful in many EU countries to a "period of constant upheaval" that has been going on for many years. "There used to be a crisis, then there was calm again, then there was another crisis. People were somehow able to recover from that."

Johannes Hahn

(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Virginia Mayo)

The FPÖ is celebrating after its victory in the National Council elections in September.

(Bild: APA/Roland Schlager)

Now there is a "certain exhaustion". As a result, these populist movements are successful "because they describe things with very simple slogans, but do not solve them".

The ÖVP politician countered EU-critical spirits in Austria by saying that there were many things that could "only be successfully tackled with the strength of the 450 million, the 27 member states". Postscript: "To be honest, where would a country like Austria, and Austria is a medium-sized country by European standards with nine million inhabitants, be in a world of eight billion?"

To be honest, where would a country like Austria be, and Austria is a medium-sized country by European standards with nine million inhabitants, in a world of eight billion?

Johannes Hahn

Brexit as Hahn's "biggest defeat"
 Hahn, who celebrates his 67th birthday on Monday, will leave his post as EU Commissioner for Budget and Administration on Saturday. He was previously EU Commissioner for Regional Policy from February 2010 and held the portfolio for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations from November 2014 to November 2019. "The biggest defeat in the 15 years that I had to go through" was Brexit. Hahn does not see the possibility of the United Kingdom finding its way back into the EU "at the present time". "I believe the priority must simply be to find a sensible form of cooperation."

Nach Brexit weg mit allen EU-Regeln?: In London zeichnet sich ein neuer Streit ab.

(Bild: lazyllama - stock.adobe.com)

Brunner takes over from Sunday
On December 1, Hahn's party colleague, former Finance Minister Magnus Brunner, will take up his post as EU Commissioner for Migration in Brussels. Hahn was positive about Brunner taking over the migration portfolio. There were still differences of opinion on the migration issue. However, Brunner has all the prerequisites to reconcile the different interests.

On December 1, former Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) will take up his post as EU Commissioner for Migration in Brussels.

(Bild: Mashid Mohadjerin/Redux/laif)

"The important thing is that people in Austria understand that he is not Austria's super ambassador, but a European official who has to look after the interests of the whole of Europe. This will not always be one hundred percent identical with Austrian interests."

Hahn did not want to give any tips to his successor and party colleague because he has an international education and a great deal of European experience. When asked whether he would remain politically active after leaving office, Hahn said: "Interested yes, active no."