Government crisis in Austria: Kickl and the FPÖ before retreat!

Government crisis in Austria: Kickl and the FPÖ before retreat!

Austria is experiencing a dramatic government crisis that was triggered by the controversial interior minister Herbert Kickl from the FPÖ and its impending discharge. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) plans to propose Kickl's dismissal to the Federal President after a scandal video was published in the course 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 orders are indicated with a supposed Russian oligarch. Strache's resignation led to the break of the coalition and made new elections necessary in September, as was the case, among other things stern.de reported.

FPÖ draws consequences

In response to Kurz ’plans, the FPÖ has hired to withdraw all its ministers from the government, Kickl should actually be released. "If Kickl is dismissed, we pull ourselves back from the cabinet," said the designated FPÖ boss Norbert Hofer. This could clear the way for government conversion, in which experts and civil servants manage the vacant positions up to the new elections, such as krone.at reported. In parallel, 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, since it is predicted that it could lose significantly in new elections. In the meantime, it is speculated whether ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz could possibly go into the race for the Chancellery in order to compete against Kickl and the FPÖ, which could further unsettle Austria's political landscape. Leading media from Germany and Switzerland have already underlined the immense consequences of the current situation for the stability of the Austrian government and European politics.