Showdown at ORF – Nehammer vs. Kickl: Experts see victory on points

Chancellor Karl Nehammer won a points victory in the dispute with poll champion Herbert Kickl. Political scientist Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle saw it that way in her TV analysis. Nehammer repeatedly took the wind out of Kickl’s sails.

“He also deliberately did not escalate, which also made Kickl calmer. And in the end Nehammer emerged as the winner.”

Political advisor Thomas Hofer also described Nehammer in particular as calm and ‘chancellor-like’. “Just by his status and demeanor, he conveyed his campaign slogan well in the debate. These effects should not be underestimated.”

It’s still about 500,000 votes
Both duelists were surprisingly reserved, which was particularly noticeable in Kickl, who normally uses attacking and aggressive rhetoric. In general, the FPÖ leader behaved more gently in the TV duels than on his own channels. Hofer: “After all, television is not just about your own customer base. But about 500,000 voters who could go to the FPÖ or ÖVP. That is a huge potential.”

Kickl offensives on Corona and climate
It is important, especially in the final sprint, not to drive anyone away with too much emotion and aggression. “It’s about coming across as a statesman. And Nehammer has certainly succeeded in that,” says Hofer, who wonders why Kickl did not “pay more attention to his strong asylum issue.” To do this, he was tactically smart from the start when it came to Corona and immediately went on the offensive when Nehammer accused Kickl of radicalizing – specifically in the area of ​​Corona measures or in the area of ​​climate. “Overall, Nehammer has succeeded well.”