Kickl Confirmed Again as FPÖ Party Leader

This is Kickl's best result so far. Before his nomination at the party conference in the Messe Salzburg, he made it clear to the approximately 850 delegates that he wants to become the "People's Chancellor." In his speech, he once again targeted the current government and invoked his idea of a "Third Republic."

"We are the largest democratization project in this country," Kickl set the course for his party. He had already made it clear before the party conference that he likes to draw inspiration from other right-wing politicians when he praised the policies of US President Donald Trump. At the party conference, he reached further back into US history to former President Thomas Jefferson, who advised trusting the people. He compared his party to the loyalty in Hannibal's army and, not least, he also took cues from the Apostle Paul. Like Paul, Kickl wants to return "faith, hope, and love" to the people.

"People's Chancellorship" Remains the Goal

Recently, however, Kickl refocused on his own country by encouraging the delegates to still aim for entering the government after the next election. The declared goal remains the "People's Chancellorship," even if this has not been achieved, even as the strongest party. "I have certainly gone out on a limb during this time," Kickl addressed his leadership. His motto remains the same: "Without the possibility of failure, there is no possibility of success."

Kickl's adversaries have not changed either. For example, in asylum policy, there is no way around a "Fortress Austria." Once again, he condemned the "rainbow cult," a perceived European paternalism, and the currently ruling "loser coalition." Only the FPÖ can change this. "Everything I have mentioned, these are the building blocks of a new Austria," said Kickl. "These are the building blocks of a free republic. I could also say, these are the building blocks of a Third Republic."

Activists Rappelled from the Roof

The party conference did not go without incidents. Two activists rappelled from the roof at the entrance of the exhibition hall with a rainbow flag and a Palestine flag, among other things. Both individuals were eventually removed by the professional fire brigade. Security measures inside the hall were also enormous. An official demonstration in the vicinity of the Messe Salzburg was manageable and remained peaceful until the start of the party conference. However, an accident occurred in the hall itself. National Council member Hubert Fuchs fell from a staircase on the stage and had to be taken away injured by rescue services.

The event began with greetings from representatives of friendly right-wing parties. There were video messages from Marine Le Pen, Viktor Orban, Matteo Salvini, and Alice Weidel. The first to take the stage was the Salzburg FPÖ leader Marlene Svazek to welcome the delegates.

Deputies Also Confirmed

Kickl's deputies were also confirmed at the party congress. They are the regional party leaders Erwin Angerer (Carinthia), Manfred Haimbuchner (Upper Austria), Mario Kunasek (Styria), Udo Landbauer (Lower Austria), and Svazek. Harald Stefan represents Vienna. The party congress also addressed a key motion titled "Freedom. Progress. Fairness. Peace.", which reaffirms Kickl's substantive direction. Prefaced are words from the U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Kickl's words did not go unnoticed by political competitors. "Austria's most cowardly party leader incites, divides, excludes," criticized SPÖ federal manager Klaus Seltenheim in a statement. Kickl engages in "exclusively division and incitement instead of presenting solutions," said NEOS Secretary General Douglas Hoyos. The Greens mainly criticized the pro-Russian tones at the party congress. "Pseudo-patriot" Kickl "apparently wants to deliver our country to Putin," warned federal spokesperson Leonore Gewessler.

Recently 91 Percent for Kickl

Under Kickl, the Freedom Party became the strongest force in the National Council for the first time. In last year's election, they achieved 28.8 percent. The reason the native Carinthian did not become "People's Chancellor," as he calls it, is due to a coalition of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS, or because he could not find partners in the other parties. Recently, Kickl emphasized his intention to run as the top candidate in another National Council election and to further widen the gap with the other parties.

Even beforehand, great approval for Kickl as party leader was expected at the party congress in Salzburg. In 2021, he was elected as Norbert Hofer's successor with 88.24 percent of the delegates' votes in Wiener Neustadt. Already the following year, he received 91 percent at an ordinary party congress in St. Pölten.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.