Austria Kickl wants to usher in a new era with "honest politics"
Before the start of the foreseeable coalition negotiations with the conservative ÖVP, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl has set key conditions. The ÖVP must share his credo of "honest politics", said the right-wing populist.
07.01.2025, 16:26
SDA
"No games, no tricks, no sabotage, no obstructionism", he warned at his first press conference after being commissioned to form a government. It was important to restore people's trust in politics in general.
With diligence, honesty and courage, it would be possible to create a spirit of optimism in the country.
If the ÖVP did not follow his criteria, he openly threatened new elections: "We are prepared for that." According to the polls, the right-wing populists have massively increased their lead over the ÖVP and the social democratic SPÖ compared to the parliamentary elections 100 days ago.
It is not his lifelong dream to become chancellor, said Kickl. "Anyone who says that has no idea about me." But he is now letting the voters hold him to account.
Questions unwelcome
He accused the previous government of driving the country to the wall and leaving behind a huge budget deficit. Kickl did not mention any concrete steps as to how he intended to solve this central problem of Austrian politics.
He generally avoided making any statements on specific projects. Questions were also not welcome at the press appearance.
The FPÖ received the mandate to form a government after the failure of coalition talks between the ÖVP, SPÖ and liberal Neos and the breakdown of the subsequent talks between the ÖVP and SPÖ.
Head of state Alexander Van der Bellen, a former leader of the Greens, had made it clear that this step was not easy for him. Kickl would be the first FPÖ chancellor in Austria.
