Despite the FPÖ’s continued strength, one person could thwart Chancellor Kickl: Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen! What if he refused his vow? “Then a real state crisis is imminent!”, the guests in the conversation with Katia Wagner are sure…
The blue general secretary Christian Hafenecker wishes Van der Bellen “a lot of fun” if he really wants to drag this “super anti-democratic act” through. “If the chairman of a miniature party says he does not want to swear by Kickl, there will be very, very big problems,” the FPÖ politician predicts.
“VdB is the most ideological federal president of the Second Republic”
Pollster Christoph Haselmayer (IFDD Institute) is in any case confident that Van der Bellen will refuse Kickl as chancellor. “Then we would have a real state crisis and the republic would burn,” he is sure. After all, he was the “most ideological federal president of the Second Republic”. But in the end that would only help the FPÖ itself, possibly leading to new elections, and in such a scenario Van der Bellen could only “resign personally”.
“Kickl Goes Number One!”
“Krone” domestic political journalist Erich Vogl has a different opinion: “I think he will do it”. Although he will “look grumpy” like Thomas Klestil at Schwarz-Blau under Wolfang Schüssel, he will not make it. He estimates Chancellor Kickl’s odds to be high: “I suppose Mr. Kickl – if things continue like this – will be number one!”.
Successful FPÖ, unpopular Kickl
Will the FPÖ’s success end with Herbert Kickl’s miserable confidence? FPÖ-related communications expert Christoph Pöchinger explains: “Polarization is not so bad for a politician”. The FPÖ is highly credible as a “classic, right-wing party” on current issues. He also predicts: “The SPÖ will no longer play a major role in the future”.
Is blue and red coming?
Hafenecker (FPÖ) is also not afraid of the SPÖ, “nor of Hans Peter Doskozil”. In general, he does not understand the consistent rejection by the Social Democrats of a coalition with the FPÖ – in his opinion, many SPÖ voters would certainly like that. “This mutual exclusion has to stop!” he says. However, the other participants in the discussion are sure: if power beckons, the coalition nrs can be reconsidered…
“Katia Wagner – the talk” can be seen every Wednesday at 8:15 PM on krone.tv. Join the discussion and tune in!
In the program of the same name, Katia Wagner discusses socio-political issues that concern Austria every Wednesday with guests from politics and society.
Source: Krone

I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.