Austria Government job for Kickl: the plans of the right-wing FPÖ leader
After receiving the mandate to form a government from Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, the leader of the right-wing FPÖ, Herbert Kickl, wants to make his plans public for the first time today. He has already drawn up a list of topics for coalition negotiations with the conservative ÖVP. These include, for example, a more restrictive asylum policy and steps against language regulations that are perceived as excessive. "No to censorship, woke and gender dictates", the paper states.
07.01.2025, 08:43
SDA
In September, the EU-sceptical and Russia-friendly FPÖ won a parliamentary election for the first time. Now it has received a government mandate for the first time and could take over the chancellorship for the first time. In the meantime, the previous chancellor Karl Nehammer tried in vain to forge a centrist government between his ÖVP, the liberal Neos and the social democratic SPÖ. The talks broke down on Friday. A coalition between the ÖVP and SPÖ also failed to materialize.
Kickl's list of priorities
At the weekend, the ÖVP then made a U-turn and declared itself ready for government negotiations with the right-wing populists. Kickl had already presented priorities and topics for such talks in October. Public spending was to be reduced as "immediate measures" - including social spending on migrants. Taxes for older employees and small businesses should be reduced quickly.
"Fortress Austria"
The thematic roadmap proposes an expansion of border protection under the heading of "Fortress Austria". Recognized refugees should not be granted the right to become Austrian citizens and the reunification of family members from abroad should be limited, it says. It also calls for the consistent deportation of rejected asylum seekers.
The ÖVP is also in favor of a restrictive migration policy. However, the two parties would have to overcome major differences on other issues. For example, the FPÖ demands in the paper that Austria should not participate in the planned European air defense system "Sky Shield". The pro-European ÖVP has pursued this project to date.
Refusal and resignation
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) will not be available as chief diplomat to a government with Kickl as chancellor, his spokeswoman confirmed on Monday evening. He thus stands by his rejection of working with the FPÖ leader - just like Nehammer. He announced in his podcast that he would complete his announced resignation as Chancellor on Friday. It is not yet known who will take over the office on an interim basis until the next government is formed.
