Herbert Kickl, leader of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), has called for fresh elections during an attack on the newly forming Austrian government which he described as a “loser coalition” that has deceived the electorate.
The right-wing leader, whose party won the most seats during the federal election held last fall but failed to agree to form a coalition with the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), used a press conference on Tuesday to take aim at the ÖVP, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), and the liberal Neos.
He accused the ÖVP of conducting false negotiations with the FPÖ and secretly working on a coalition deal with left-wing parties.
“From the beginning, only false negotiations were conducted and negotiated behind our back on the losing coalition. It was only negotiated against the FPÖ, not with her,” he told the congregated press.
He further accused the Austrian legacy parties of concealing the stark economic reality facing the country ahead of the elections, claiming that had the electorate known just how dire the situation really was, his party would have won by even more votes.
“The voters were lied to ice cold by the ÖVP and Greens just to save their own skin,” Kickl stated, as cited by Exxpress.
The right-wing politician announced that the FPÖ will submit a motion for new elections during Wednesday’s National Council session, calling it “the only clean, honest, and democratic solution.” Although he acknowledged that no other party would support the proposal at this stage, he suggested that internal divisions within the coalition could eventually trigger early elections.
Kickl also criticized the appointment of Christian Stocker as Austria’s new chancellor, noting that he is the third unelected leader in a row following Alexander Schallenberg and Karl Nehammer. According to Kickl, “Every opinion poll puts the FPÖ in first place, yet a government of election losers is being formed.”
In addition to pushing for new elections, the FPÖ will submit proposals aimed at tightening immigration controls. Among the key measures include a law banning political Islam to strengthen counter-extremism efforts and stricter controls on automatic transitions from asylum status to Austrian citizenship, particularly targeting Afghans and Syrians who arrived in 2015 and are now eligible to apply for citizenship.
Kickl warned that Austria is facing “a mix of temporary protection and unchecked immigration,” arguing that such policies are not in the interest of Austrian citizens.
The FPÖ had engaged in coalition talks with the ÖVP, but negotiations collapsed, paving the way for a coalition between the ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has endorsed the new government, describing negotiations as being at an advanced stage.
Under the new arrangement, Christian Stocker (ÖVP) will serve as chancellor and his party colleagues will hold the interior and defense ministries; the SPÖ will take control of the justice ministry, while the Neos will lead the foreign ministry with party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger at the helm.
