First plenary session – violent accusations and trench warfare in parliament

First plenary session of the new year. The seventh in the current legislature. Shaped by emotions. Violent accusations fly through the House. Broken coalition dreams for the trio ÖVP, SPÖ, NEOS and a more than likely FPÖ chancellor Herbert Kickl have an intense effect. In the midst of all this, once again the short-term Chancellor Alexander II, so to speak, with a statesmanlike speech.

SPÖ leader Babler in a new role
He calls for unity in difficult times, respect for human rights, points to Austria’s potential and makes it clear that his country will remain a stable and reliable partner. And in this context – probably aimed at the FPÖ, with which he certainly does not want to govern – he rejects a ‘drawbridge-high mentality’. The well-intentioned words are heard, but the others long for a reckoning. The current hour on the budget is very busy.

SPÖ leader Andreas Babler and his followers do not hold back in attacking the ÖVP and future FPÖ chancellor Herbert Kickl. Black and Blue are presented with quotes from the recent past that reflect mutual disgust. Babler to Kickl: “You complained about the power-hungry swingers club, today you’re swinging along.” It goes back and forth, the Greens also complain. Who is responsible for the domestic political chaos of recent months? The ÖVP around boss Christian Stocker and the NEOS identified Babler and his environment. But this focus also exists within the SPÖ, as the Crown has learned from frustrated negotiators.

Kucher: “Prevent Kickl”
Red MP Kai Jan Krainer is in turn firing at the chancellor’s party – including interim Finance Minister Gunter Mayr, who can probably do little to help alleviate the misery. This is not a minister of finance, but a “minister of propaganda”. Mumbling in the plenum. The pace is maintained. Mayr and ÖVP respond with the 6.39 billion savings package, which averted an EU deficit procedure.

“I don’t know of any EU country that would do this voluntarily,” Mayr said. Many of the measures now envisaged formed the basis for the negotiations on the Zuckerl coalition. “Mr. Babler should know that.” The FPÖ, on the other hand, points to the “three-day negotiation success” on the budget, which the others had not been able to achieve in three months. SPÖ club boss Philip Kucher to ÖVP boss Christian Stocker: “Examine yourself and prevent Chancellor Kickl.” That probably won’t happen.

Nothing productive was decided on this intensive day, but something fundamental was decided. For example, Green Secretary General Olga Voglauer will not be extradited by the National Council. The reason for the corresponding request from the Klagenfurt Regional Court was a private accusation of defamation against the right-wing extremist Martin Sellner, whom she accused of showing the Hitler salute.

The only sentence that all involved would sign is the conclusion from Schallenberg’s contribution: “The next federal government will have its hands full.”

Black castling
The ÖVP also talks about civil servants who do not (yet) sit on the National Council. For example, the new Secretary General Alexander Pröll. As the “Krone” learned, there were plans to give the son of former ÖVP Vice Chancellor Josef Pröll a seat in the National Council “as befits a general secretary.” As is known, that of ex-chancellor Karl Nehammer has been released. Insider circles say the venture may have failed due to a veto from Upper Austria. “Not another Lower Austrian,” they would have said.

Nehammer’s mandate ultimately took a detour to Upper Austria and to Johanna Jachs. The 33-year-old lawyer was able to enter through a regional constituency mandate, because State Secretary Claudia Plakolm gave up and took over Nehammer’s seat from the federal list. However, since the seat of Salzburg-appointed governor Karoline Edtstadler will be vacant in the near future and changes are likely to result from the formation of a government between the FPÖ and the ÖVP, Pröll’s promotion to the National Council is likely only a matter of time.