Styria elections: FPÖ hopes for landslides and new coalition opportunities

Styria elections: FPÖ hopes for landslides and new coalition opportunities

In the past few weeks, the media presence of Herbert Kickl, the head of the FPÖ, has greatly reduced. While the blue politician was still considered a likely election winner in October, the headlines now seem to have stayed behind him. Especially after the constituent meeting of the National Council and visiting the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán with Walter Rosenkranz, the new National Council President of the FPÖ, it has become quiet.

At the Styrian election campaign, Kickl recently appeared in Leibnitz, where his general secretary, Christian Hafenecker, Georg Dornauer from the SPÖ asked for resignation. Although the FPÖ tips have not disappeared, their sound has defused. The so-called "losing coalition" of the "system parties" is still criticized in postings and broadcasts, but personal attacks have decreased against the ÖVP Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

hopes for a landslide victory of the FPÖ

An important challenge for Kickl remains the aversion of Nehammer towards him, which is obviously difficult to digest internally. Nevertheless, the FPÖ strategists are convinced that a successful outcome of the upcoming state election in Styria, with a possible landslide victory for Mario Kunasek, could open up new opportunities. If this occurs, Nehammer would see itself under higher pressure, possibly not to coalate past the FPÖ.

A current example of political changes within the federal states offers the new coalition in Vorarlberg, where a fourth federal state in black and blue is now shining in Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Salzburg. In the Bundes-ÖVP, however, there are currently no efforts to overcome the existing distance to Kickl. Although the industrial association has clearly spoken out for a black and blue coalition and also pass enough sympathy within the ÖVP club, most do not want to play a role in the government if this would mean that Kickl acts as Chancellor.

This means that the FPÖ can hardly make friends with the option to see Kickl as a vice-chancellor under a ÖVP chancellor. Therefore, in the opinion of the FPÖ, it could lead to still spending five “good years” in radical opposition. During this time, the party could fight tirelessly against the existing coalitions, with the hope that they may even force them early.