The new government faces challenges: two hard years in sight!

The new government faces challenges: two hard years in sight!

In the middle of a heated political situation, the first National Council meeting of the new government coalition from ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS took place, led by the new Chancellor Stocker. In his government declaration, he emphasized the need for compromise and the stability of the coalition, which was formed in a time of "historical challenges". Stocker warned of hard times, especially with regard to the difficult budget conditions and the geopolitical challenges, but underlined the need to act against illegal migration and the abuse of the asylum system. His words were well received by the government parties, while FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl is known for his sharp criticism of the government and described it as the "government of elections".

Political Ash Wednesday of the FPÖ with a sharp speech

The freedom -like celebrated 32nd "Political Ash Wednesday" in the sold -out Jahnturnhalle in Ried with 2,000 enthusiastic supporters. Party chairman Kickl and his fellow campaigners expressed sharp criticism of the new coalition, while Vice Mayor Thomas Dim and state chairman Manfred Haimbuchner were also against the new government. Haimbuchner described the government members as "carnival commanders of the LGBTQ group" and criticized the coalition relationship with the ÖVP, which in his opinion represents the political left. Kickl's forecast that the "Austro Loser Spampel" of the new government will quickly run out of air, and that the FPÖ will soon come to power, illustrates the charged mood between the political camps. All of this happened against the background of the dispute over the future of asylum policy, for which Haimbuchner demanded an immediate asylum stop.

The conflict between the new government and the FPÖ is therefore in full swing, with clear lines between the pro-European demands of the government parties and the critical tone of the oppositional freedom. While the government announces a stable and future -oriented policy, the FPÖ sees its chance of making popular mood against the existing government. The developments of the coming days and weeks could be decisive for how the atmosphere in Austrian politics is developing, since both the Chancellor and the FPÖ chairman urge to enforce their respective agendas.