FP in ruins – Mr. Kunasek, who will end the blue chaos in Graz?

„krone“: Mr Kunasek, after club president Alexis Pascuttini and councilor Claudia Schönbacher, councilors Michael Winter and Astrid Schleicher were expelled from your party. How did that happen?
Mario Kunasek: These people did not comply with resolutions passed unanimously by the party leadership – sometimes even with the votes of those who have now been evicted. Those are hard consequences, I admit, but they were necessary.

What decisions were those, for example?
This communication with the media has to be done, for example, through our State Secretary Stefan Hermann. That didn’t happen. If employees don’t follow instructions, you can’t just watch as a boss.

Is the position of the last remaining FPÖ city council already shaking?
No, Günter Wagner said clearly: he is FPÖ, he remains FPÖ – and he is not in the Pascuttini team. He remains on our council and for that he deserves respect.

But the three dismissed councilors continue to claim club status as libertarians. How should this work?
Yes, technically this club still exists. However, from a legal point of view, it will be interesting: the brands “Freiheitliche” and “FPÖ” are clearly ours. Sooner or later the rulers will also lose these names and all logos will be stripped of them. You are no longer part of our party – you can see that in your public image.

Are the exclusions also legally valid?
That’s what I expect. I see little chance of a withdrawal.

When will reconstruction begin after the days of chaos?
After the financial scandal, I tried to smooth things over. Unfortunately, this was only partially successful. The task now is to set up a proper party conference. Many members are concerned, but in the end it is all about getting the FPÖ Graz back in shape. This will undoubtedly be a process that will take a long time.

Who is the party leader of the FPÖ Graz now?
The party is currently led by Anton Kogler as state manager – until a new chairman is elected at the city party conference.

Is there a new boss on the starting blocks?
No, but I assume the search for this person will be easier: now a lot of the pressure is gone.

Do you fear that such turbulence in Graz could also affect the State Party in the near future?
No, that is and remains a Graz affair. We know from the facts that this cause with the former city party leadership [rund um Mario Eustacchio, Anm.] has to do.