The governors of the ÖVP state are angry about Alexander Van der Bellen’s decision not to instruct Herbert Kickl to form a government. There are renewed fears of a greater “martyr effect” for the Blues.
On January 25, 2023, Alexander Van der Bellen made a momentous statement about ORF. The Federal President left it unclear whether he would swear in FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl as chancellor.
Four days later there were state elections in Lower Austria. And ÖVP incumbent Johanna Mikl-Leitner recorded a minus of ten percent. The FPÖ with Udo Landbauer managed to make significant gains.
Styria votes on November 24
The Federal President has done it again. With his decision not to instruct FPÖ election winner Herbert Kickl to form a government, he aroused the displeasure of the ÖVP state governors. And from FPÖ sympathizers. The Federal President is essentially a “recidivist” as an involuntary election worker for the FPÖ and as a power expander for the ÖVP. That’s apparently how you see it in parts of the ÖVP. Styria votes on November 24. State leader Christopher Drexler is in danger of losing first place to the FPÖ.
The presidential decision could create additional negative dynamics and thus represent a serious blow to the Chancellor’s party in general. And give the Blues a big success. Motto: “Now more than ever!” Martyr effect with announcement. “This effect will now be strengthened,” says political analyst Thomas Hofer. “Moreover, it is not only FPÖ voters who show a lack of understanding for the president’s decision.”
Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) also felt compelled to make a statement. He described Van der Bellen’s decision to ‘Today’ as ‘undemocratic’. Counter to Vienna’s SPÖ mayor Michael Ludwig: “It is bizarre that Kurz criticizes the president, because it was he himself who proposed dismissing the then Interior Minister Kickl.”
‘He thought Kickl would have presented the ÖVP differently’
One trigger for everything was the ORF interview from January 2023. This was a serious mistake, says Thomas Hofer. Van der Bellen lacked emotion management. Ultimately, he did not want to give Kickl control, because he was afraid that he would expose the ÖVP. Even if the president had instructed him to form a government, “Kickl would have postulated the problems with the ÖVP on issues. For him it was a win-win situation from the start.
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.
