Political quake in the federal government:

Greens lament “black day for Austria”

Daniel Zadra and Eva Hammerer, the dual leadership of the Vorarlberg Greens.

(Bild: Mathis Fotografie)

The events in Vienna and the increasing likelihood of an FPÖ-ÖVP federal government under Chancellor Herbert Kickl are also making waves in Vorarlberg. While the Greens are not sparing with their criticism, Governor Markus Wallner (ÖVP) sees no alternative to coalition negotiations with the FPÖ.

For Daniel Zadra and Eva Hammerer, who together form the dual leadership of the Vorarlberg Greens, the case is clear: "There is obviously no way around a Chancellor Kickl and a government with the anti-European and extreme right-wing FPÖ - this is a black day for Austria." For the Ländle Greens, the fact that Herbert Kickl is now likely to make it into the chancellorship after all is the result of irresponsible politics: "The ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS have failed to put their responsibility for the country above party tactical considerations. With this failure, they have opened the door to power for the FPÖ." 

Zadra is particularly harsh on the ÖVP - and also on Governor Markus Wallner, who in the past had decidedly ruled out a coalition with Kickl: "Now it is becoming clear how much the promises of the ÖVP and Governor Wallner are actually worth. They are prepared to become Kickl's stooge out of pure power politics."

Neos attack the Greens - and see the ÖVP as responsible
As is well known, it was the Neos who caused the negotiations on the "sugar coalition" to collapse. The fact that the Greens are now accusing the Pinks of "irresponsibility" really infuriates Neos state spokesperson Claudia Gamon: "If the Greens are now talking about a black day for Austria, then that is pure hypocrisy. For years, the Greens in the federal government and also in the provincial government have pursued policies that ignored the needs of the people." It was precisely this misguided policy that took away people's trust in the established parties and paved the way for the FPÖ. Incidentally, the People's Party alone now bears responsibility - and not the Neos: "The truth is: a Chancellor Kickl will only become a reality if the ÖVP is prepared to do so. We have already seen after the elections in Vorarlberg that the People's Party is rolling out the red carpet for the FPÖ everywhere - contrary to its statements." 

Wallner welcomes talks with FPÖ
For his part, state leader Wallner (ÖVP) has also spoken out: He welcomed the federal president's decision to award the government formation contract to Kickl, as "Austria needs a federal government capable of acting quickly to deal with the current challenges". For Wallner, the fact that his party is prepared to enter into a coalition with the FPÖ as a junior partner is the order of the day: "The alternative would be a new election, which I certainly think is the wrong way to go at the moment in view of the very tense economic and budget situation."

SPÖ state leader sees skewed optics
The fact that Wallner, of all people, is now beating the drum for a blue-black coalition makes SPÖ provincial boss Mario Leiter shake his head: "Just a few days ago, he was clearly in favor of a black-red coalition - now he is one of the loudest supporters of a coalition with the FPÖ," he says, seeing a skewed picture. The fact that Wallner entered into a coalition with the FPÖ at provincial level was what made the federal ÖVP's current U-turn possible in the first place: "Immediately after the provincial elections, Markus Wallner threw all previous reservations overboard and made the FPÖ the governing party. The ÖVP has now also stuck to this Wallner playbook at federal level. The ÖVP apparently accepts any voter deception in order to retain power."

FPÖ provincial boss Bitschi is satisfied
And what does FPÖ state chairman Christof Bitschi say? He is naturally satisfied and emphasizes that the will of the voters is finally being taken into account: "After all, it was Herbert Kickl who won the National Council elections with an overwhelming majority and achieved a record result."