Kickl raises the alarm: Budget disaster endangers families and neutrality!

Kickl raises the alarm: Budget disaster endangers families and neutrality!

Vienna, Österreich - In the National Council, FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl sharply attacked the federal government during the budget debate. Today, on June 16, 2025, he described the current budget policy as a "gigantic load hammer" and accused the government of word fracture and hostility to family. Kickl complained that the coalition of ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos maneuvered the country into a debt crisis and warned of additional debts of 82 billion euros. He himself sees a total of 88 billion euros in debt that has been accumulated in recent years and demands a rethink.

"Budget policy is a heartless and imaginative clear cut," continued Kickl. In particular, he criticized the high expenditure for international help and upgrading, while the domestic situation is by no means improved. He was particularly concerned about the cuts in family services and the insufficient amounts from which pensioners would have to live.

criticism of the visit of Selenskyj

A central topic in the debate was the recent state visit by Wolodymyr Selenskyj, the President of Ukraine, in Austria. Kickl argued that this visit to Austrian neutrality is a shame and the population distracted from the urgent inner concerns. The FPÖ described Selenskyj's state -like reception as problematic for a neutral country. In an urgent request, the FPÖ asked 45 questions about the background of this visit, which it regarded as a political staging.

State Secretary Alexander Pröll, on the other hand, defended the visit and explained that Austria has been actively for peace and international legal session through his 294 million euros in humanitarian aid, which had been the 294 million euros since the beginning of the Ukraine War, which was in line with the principles of neutrality. "Ukraine defends Europe and its values. Russia is the aggressor," emphasized Pröll. In addition, the invitation to Selenskyj was pronounced by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, and the topics of the visit included economic cooperation and reconstruction.

The dimension of Austrian neutrality

The discussion about neutrality is deeply anchored in Austria's history. In an analysis, Martin Senn describes three dimensions of neutrality policy: interpretation, attractiveness and deterrent. These elements not only define the domestic debates, but also the external perception of Austria in an international context. The focus on the agreement of the support for Ukraine with neutrality is discussed by both the FPÖ and the government.

Senn emphasizes that neutrality policy has been stagnating since the mid-2000s, which led to de-policity. Nevertheless, neutrality still enjoys great approval among the population, especially in the context of geopolitical tensions such as NATO intervention in Kosovo and the attacks of September 11, 2001. Different political parties have known in their fundamental programs, while the ÖVP largely lacks the reference to this.

The current discussions underline how the federal government tries to find a balance between international responsibility and its own understanding of neutrality. While Kickl and the FPÖ call for the return to traditional neutrality principles, government officials emphasize that active neutral politics open up for peace initiatives and international collaborations.

The arguments in the National Council reflect the tensions associated with current geopolitical challenges. The coming months should show how the budget policy and the role of Austria will develop on the international stage.

More information about the current debates and Austrian neutrality can be found at the following links: vienna.at , ots.at parlament.gv.at .