Red-blue dispute: – “We are not a foam party”

For the first time, the FPÖ was able to win a national election, political analyst Thomas Hofer introduced the debate on krone.tv. The subject situation is similar to that in Austria. Keyword migration. Even if the FPÖ has traditionally struggled to mobilize in EU elections, this time it will likely be different. The FPÖ’s number 2 in the EU elections, Petra Steger, stated: “Our goal is number 1. But that is only a means to an end. There are many undesirable developments in the EU. And we are trying to take action against this with the strongest possible group of right-wing parties and bring about a turnaround.” They also want there to be an EU Commissioner for Remigration and not for the post always to go to the People’s Party.

Exchanging blows over social issues and nuclear energy
European SPÖ spokesperson Leichtfried responded to Rainer Nowak’s objection about how the FPÖ could become the strongest party: “I have never experienced such a good mood in the SPÖ. There will be a number of people there to see how it all turns out. For the EU elections and for the National Council elections.” There was a constant exchange of blows between red and blue. The FPÖ is completely irrelevant in the EU, unlike the social democratic group, Leichtfried said. He also targeted the blue top candidate Harald Vilimsky. He submitted proposals on nuclear energy. He and his party cannot be taken seriously either. “If you vote for the FPÖ, it is for nothing.” Steger countered that the social democrats should rather ask themselves how the loss of prosperity and inflation could have come about. “They want downward leveling and European unemployment insurance. They want to distribute more and more outside Austria. We want to arrange this nationally.”

The FPÖ and Russia
However, Hofer sees a comprehensive right-wing faction as still far away – there are too many differences here (keyword AfD) and different national interests. And received encouragement from Leichtfried. Petra Steger admitted that we were actually faced with a difficult task here, but it was still important to make progress on important issues such as migration and security. Leichtfried replied that the FPÖ was not there for the so-called little people. But it would only fool people. “We are not a foam party like the FPÖ.”

Thomas Hofer still considers the FPÖ stable. It has its topics and its audience – and, especially important, its own channels where you do not have to deal with critical journalism. That’s why the “Russian spy affair,” conveyed through traditional media, doesn’t really appeal to anyone. The Russia issue was also discussed emotionally. SPÖ man Leichtfried criticized the FPÖ for only submitting Russian-friendly proposals. “This damages Austria and neutrality.” Steger countered: “Our proposals only serve the Austrian people and the preservation of neutrality, which is being flouted by other parties. Peace negotiations are needed.” There was still agreement between red and blue – because of the excessive bureaucracy in Brussels.