Government crisis in Austria: Kickl and the FPÖ about to withdraw!

Government crisis in Austria: Kickl and the FPÖ about to withdraw!

Austria is experiencing a dramatic government crisis triggered by the controversial Interior Minister Herbert Kickl from the FPÖ and his threatened dismissal. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) is planning to suggest Kickl's dismissal to the Federal President after a scandalous video was published in the wake of the so-called “Ibiza affair”. In this video, which shows the behavior of the then Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, dubious agreements regarding public contracts with a supposed Russian oligarch are hinted at. Strache's resignation led to the breakup of the coalition and made new elections in September necessary, among other things stern.de reported.

FPÖ draws conclusions

In response to Kurz's plans, the FPÖ has promised to withdraw all of its ministers from the government if Kickl is actually fired. “If Kickl is dismissed, we will withdraw from the cabinet as a unit,” said the designated FPÖ leader Norbert Hofer. This could pave the way for a government shakeup, with experts and civil servants managing the vacant positions until new elections, such as krone.at reported. At the same time, the SPÖ called for a comprehensive realignment of the government and the dismissal of all FPÖ ministers.

The background and turbulence of this crisis could prove to be a political Waterloo for the FPÖ, as it is predicted that it could lose significant support in new elections. Meanwhile, there is speculation as to whether ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz might enter the race for the chancellorship again to compete against Kickl and the FPÖ, which could further unsettle Austria's political landscape. Leading media from Germany and Switzerland have already highlighted the immense consequences of the current situation for the stability of the Austrian government and European politics.