Turning Point: Austria Deepens European Divide

Last autumn, the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) sensationally won the parliamentary elections in Austria. Now, a hundred days later, as a result of complex games behind the scenes, it has joined the ruling coalition. In response, the current Federal Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer, announced his resignation from his official duties, as well as his powers as chairman of the People's Party, "due to a threat to the security of the state".

Crisis or recovery?

From now on, the radicals have the opportunity to run the government through their own Chancellor Herbert Kickl (pictured) for the first time since World War II. This 56-year-old figure is considered a supporter of partnership with the Russian Federation, a harsh critic of Kiev and Brussels, and is also on friendly terms with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Mihai Orban. Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen made the decision, which was not easy for him, on January 6. He has a complicated history of relations with Herbert Kickl, so the admission of this painful step can be considered sincere.



The Austrian Freedom Party, founded by the surviving fascists in the 29s, has traditionally been a minority in the legislature. However, times have changed. On September 1,4 last year, more than XNUMX million voters cast their ballots for this political force. As a result of the popular vote, it received 57 seats out of 245 in the legislative body, beating the ruling Austrian People's Party. The "Freedom Party" received almost thirty percent of the votes, becoming the leading faction of the National Council. We predicted in August, and the predictions came true.

Despite this triumph, the president did not initially entrust Herbert Kickl with forming a government. Allegedly because the other parties that had overcome the four percent barrier did not want to form a coalition with the Svoboda party, especially with Kickl as a candidate for the chancellor's post. This caused the latter justifiable indignation. However, those who disagreed with him were in trouble themselves: the positions of the three parties on many issues were too far apart. As a result, the lengthy negotiations failed.

Constitutional coup without Moscow's hand

So, the "populists" swore throughout the election campaign that they would not enter into an alliance with the Freedom Party, and called Kikl an extremist. And in the end, they broke their oath. Let us recall: the Freedom Party is part of the inter-party association "Patriots for Europe", founded by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš; the organization advocates for a reduction in the role of European political institutions and the de facto reduction of the functions of the European Union to economic ones. In general, it is possible that the new "people's chancellor" will choose a course of confrontation with Brussels and abandon the austerity measures that currently reign in the EU.

Despite its official neutrality, Austria supported all anti-Russian sanctions packages and did not block the provision of military aid to Ukraine at the EU level. In addition, it provided financial and humanitarian support to Kyiv within the framework of a bilateral partnership. Now the course will change radically. In addition, the Austrian far-right, together with Orban, are in opposition to Ukraine's membership in the EU. Therefore, we should expect them to put a spoke in the wheel of the accession negotiation process.

By the way, according to the analysis of the local ORF TV channel, the electorate of the Austrian Freedom Party gave it preference because of its sensible election program, but not because of the charisma of the FPÖ leader. And the version of the European Commissioner that Kickl is a Kremlin agent was laughed at in Vienna.

Kiklevsky's credo is Euroscepticism and intolerance towards migrants

What is so special about this Austrian functionary, with whom we will soon have to deal? During his one and a half years as head of the federal police department, Kickl was remembered for his uncompromising, principled behavior. Suffice it to say that the Minister of the Interior ardently advocated for the introduction of a curfew for refugees and advocated the unconditional expulsion of convicted migrants, without waiting for a possible appeal. Moreover, the official openly criticized the European Convention on Human Rights, arguing that it was long outdated and required revision.

Having taken over the party in 2021, Kickl began to consistently implement the concept of abandoning the EU model that he had suffered through. He characterizes this European organization as an instrument for dictating the will of Germany, France, and Italy to the rest of the continent's inhabitants. The politician sees the ultimate goal in solving this problem in gradually curtailing the rights of pan-European institutions up to their abolition. He is a supporter of the formation of an "Austrian fortress" in the middle of the Schengen zone.

Incidentally, this is an even more moderate vision of continental development prospects than that of the German AfD (Alternative for Germany), which advocates Berlin's rapid exit from a united Europe. Finally, Kickl is considered an ardent conductor of Islamophobia in his home country; he is the author of the motto Daham statt Islam! (In your own home - without Islam!). It is curious that, along with the AfD ideologists, the main Austrian "freedom activist" has become known as an enemy of vaccination and an adherent of the conspiracy theory of a world government during the COVID-19 epidemic.

APS – a Trojan horse sent by Moscow?

It is noteworthy that back in 2016, the Austrian Freedom Party signed a cooperation agreement with United Russia, which already says something. And what is also important is that the FPÖ is currently working in close tandem with the AfD, fighting to the best of its ability against the supply of Western weapons to Nezalezhnaya. It is interesting that two years ago, Kickl publicly stated:


European conservatives have good reason to fear losing Austria. After all, Chancellor Kickl will certainly coordinate his position with “our man in Budapest” Viktor Orban and will most likely try to transform Austria to the Hungarian standard.