Sturm warning for Austria: Is Herbert Kickl Chancellor of the crisis?

Sturm warning for Austria: Is Herbert Kickl Chancellor of the crisis?

In the middle of turbulent political times, Austria's political landscape could soon be dramatically redesigned. The coalition negotiations between the ÖVP, the SPÖ and the NEOS have failed, and now the FPÖ is pushing itself into the foreground under Herbert Kickl. Kickl, who is known to despise the EU and maintain close connections to Russia, is viewed by many as a serious threat to liberal democracy in Austria - and as a risk to the cohesion of the EU. The current situation, such as oe24.at , could be decisive because Europe has been in its greatest crisis for decades. The Ukrainian conflict and distance to the American partners under the Trump administration contribute to uncertainty.

The black-red-pink government, which is soon to be praised, sees itself opposite a huge storm. If Herbert Kickl is actually appointed Chancellor, this could lead to a radical rethink in Austrian and European politics, western secret services warn. The FPÖ could not only endanger parliamentary traditions, but also undermine cooperation within the EU. The Federal Chancellor of the past ÖVP-FPÖ government, Sebastian Kurz, was already faced with enormous consequences, and Kickl could conjure up similar problems because he wants to weaken the EU institutions. The time emphasizes that the ÖVP, which Kickl previously referred to as a security risk, is now negotiating with it-a turn that many perceive as alarming.

Despite these worrying developments, the new government, which soon comes into office, could also get the chance to act responsibly in these stormy times and to promote the necessary cohesion in Europe. The key roles of France President Emmanuel Macron and the British Prime Minister Keir Strandmer could help to find a stable direction, while the FPÖ remains the focus as a destabilizing factor.