Excitement in advance: Herbert Kickl's return to FPÖ criticism in Ried!

Excitement in advance: Herbert Kickl's return to FPÖ criticism in Ried!

A political spectacle is brewing: This evening at 7.30 p.m. the FPÖ's traditional political Ash Wednesday will take place in the Jahnturnhalle in Ried (Upper Austria). The party leader Herbert Kickl will give his eagerly awaited speech, which was announced by the participants as a clear reckoning with the black-red-pink coalition. Despite the sold-out event for 18 euros per person, some prominent seats remained unoccupied, including those of the two FPÖ general secretaries Michael Schnedlitz and Christian Hafenecker as well as the President of the National Council Walter Rosenkranz. This could indicate internal tensions within the party, as the “Krone” reported.

International guests and the spirit of Jörg Haider

However, two important AfD MPs from Germany are on the guest list: Katrin Ebner Steiner and Markus Waldbrunn. Their presence illustrates the cross-border political networking of the Freedom Party. Kickl's speech in front of around 2,000 supporters is expected to contain harsh words against the ÖVP, as he promised to shed light on the reasons why cooperation did not take place. Ash Wednesday has traditionally been used as a stage for crude attacks on political opponents since 1992, a practice introduced by Jörg Haider, as Die Presse notes. Kickl is not afraid to shoot at high-ranking politicians such as Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and called him a “senile mummy,” which caused considerable uproar.

For the FPÖ, this evening could be more than just a political event. It symbolizes the return to the roots of the radical opposition course that Kickl has energetically pursued since taking office. With the support of Manfred Haimbuchner, the Upper Austrian deputy governor, who acts as a “heater”, a heated debate is to be expected that could make many in the region and beyond sit up and take notice. The developments at this event could not only influence the internal dynamics of the FPÖ, but also shape the political landscape in Austria as a whole.