Filzmaier analyzes – 10 questions the FPÖ should ask itself

1. How radical do we want to be? It makes no sense that FPÖ officials and voters would be basement Nazis and aspiring racists anyway. However, such general judgments help the PVV score points with provocations and the outrage that immediately follows. This tempts to even more language radicalism. Nevertheless, any like-minded community must clearly define a claim of respect and humanity, beyond which one has no place in a democratic party.

2. Why does it keep going wrong? The FPÖ was in the federal government during the 1980s, early 2000s and from 2017 to 2019. Each time, the coalition burst prematurely as the party behaved, fought and split. From the takeover of Jörg Haider to the split between the FPÖ and BZÖ to the shameless megalomania of Heinz-Christian Strache in Ibiza.

3. Why should anyone rule with us? A party can say that you are fundamentally opposed. The majority of the FPÖ wants to get back in government. It is illogical to expect another party to be willing to form a coalition if voters approve. Because blue politicians and their supporters often swear insultingly on everything and everyone who is not in the trees on time at three o’clock.

4. Will we ever manage – hand on heart – to pack less than supposedly the others? Anyone in the opposition who criticizes the job hunt and the questionable award of government contracts must be honest. However, the blue opinion about fairness in his own reign is limited to “Everyone does that!”, “We just change colors!” and “Finally it’s our turn!”

5. Can we be trusted? There are studies showing that during the FPÖ reign, at least as much blue representation was practiced as in other party colours. In addition, it is about power intoxication instead of humility for power. Herbert Kickl’s former secretary general at the Interior Ministry even had his own fantasy uniform custom made.

6. What are we actually good at? Each side claims to have the very best people. gift. That says nothing about the expertise and real skills of blue politicians. The track record of the governing parties as crisis managers is currently poor. But the inverse conclusion is not that the FPÖ ministerial staff and their offices could or will ever do anything better.

7. who are my friends Ultimately, every party needs allies to get things done in politics. This also affects social groups of all kinds. The approval of the Identitarians and other legal guys with their cheers that Norbert Hofer is no longer party leader is very little. Impartial relationship management is needed to avoid being alone in the woods.

8. What have we been hiding from voters? The tragic suicide attempt of an ex-FPÖ politician was an issue far too public. Point. The other aspects of the case must, of course, be dealt with. The PVV should ask the ÖVP what is on the seized mobile phone of the person concerned.

9. How well do we get along? Blaue Recken – women are a minority program – sings a family’s song at party events. But even after Strache was kicked out, people came forward, apparently meetings and phone calls were secretly recorded. As long as party friend is a form of enemy, there are problems.

10. What is the FPÖ’s election goal for the presidential and elections in Tyrol, Lower Austria, Salzburg and Carinthia? The Federal President will and probably will remain above the party polls. Given the expected losses of the ÖVP, it is mathematically hardly possible to somehow fail to win in the state elections. Nevertheless, there is a shift from a concrete goal and the goal issue of government participation.

If an FPÖ politician answers all these questions completely truthfully, that would be campaigning for other parties. But one of the deciding factors for the blue future is whether the FPÖ can be brutally honest with itself. “The bad guys are always the others!” – and presenting yourself as a victim is cowardly.