Austria’s Controversial Far-Right Leader Seeks Chancellor Position

By Francois Murphy

VIENNA – Despite having one of the lowest approval ratings among Austria’s politicians, far-right leader Herbert Kickl is still a key player in the upcoming parliamentary election, which has often been viewed as a referendum on his leadership.

At a lively rally in February, Kickl humorously remarked, "Kickl here, Kickl there, Kickl everywhere." A few weeks prior, Chancellor Karl Nehammer described the election as a contest "between him and me," showcasing extended clips of Kickl during a conservative People’s Party (OVP) event. Kickl quipped, "I don’t know if I should feel more honoured or stalked!"

His sharp critiques of the unpopular OVP-Greens coalition government have made him one of the most entertaining figures in parliament. Kickl leads the Freedom Party (FPO), which has seen increased support as Austria grapples with a looming economic contraction and persistent inflation rates above the EU average.

Polls showed the Islam-critical FPO, advocating for tougher immigration measures, in a close race with the OVP. The winning party must forge a coalition to govern. However, Kickl’s controversial reputation has made him unwelcome among other party leaders, who have pledged not to work with him. Unlike Dutch nationalist Geert Wilders, who stepped aside for coalition negotiations in the past, Kickl shows no signs of doing the same.

The FPO’s lead over the OVP is narrowing, prompting the latter to label Kickl an extremist threat to security and democracy. Nehammer stated it is "impossible to form a government with someone who adores conspiracy theories" and criticized Kickl’s views on the World Health Organization and events like the Davos Economic Forum.

While maintaining an openness to a coalition without Kickl, Nehammer noted the previous partnership between their parties from 2017 to 2019 ended following a scandal involving Kickl’s predecessor, who was implicated in a corruption sting.

Kickl has long been a fundamental figure in the FPO, though his popularity remains low, as evidenced by ongoing surveys. He has presented himself as the potential "Volkskanzler" or people’s chancellor—a term with historical connotations that some may find troubling.

In 2010, Kickl opposed labeling Hitler’s Waffen-SS as "collectively guilty" for war crimes, a legacy that reflects the party’s historical ties. The FPO has also opposed sanctions against Russia, claiming they go against Austria’s tradition of neutrality.

His embrace of controversial views, such as promoting ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment, aligns with some populist narratives. His campaign against lockdowns and vaccine mandates contributed to a revival of the party’s fortunes after a significant decline.

‘A CLEAR AND FOCUSED STRATEGIST’

Kickl served as interior minister during a prior coalition with Nehammer, who occupied a senior role in the OVP. After a covert video scandal led to Kickl’s dismissal, Nehammer took over the interior ministry. Following a 2020 terrorist attack in Vienna, Nehammer blamed Kickl for issues within domestic intelligence, alleging that Kickl had previously acted to reshape the agency.

President Alexander Van der Bellen, tasked with overseeing the formation of the next government, has criticized Kickl’s actions and suggested that he may prevent Kickl from ascending to the chancellorship.

Kickl presents a more serious demeanor than past FPO leaders and has showcased his competitiveness through participation in challenging endurance events. Political analyst Thomas Hofer described him as "a very, very clear and very focused strategist," noting his aggressive and attack-oriented approach.