Austrian Spy Chief Withheld Intel from FPÖ During ÖVP Coalition
Parts of the Austrian intelligence community are lining up against the FPÖ as the party hopes to return to power in 2024.
Parts of the Austrian intelligence community are lining up against the FPÖ as the party hopes to return to power in 2024.
The ruling ÖVP rolls out the rhetoric on immigration ahead of next year’s elections in an attempt to head off the growing FPÖ.
“The ÖVP can write as many papers [as they like] for Nehammer, the Austrians no longer believe this party. It’s over,” said FPÖ general secretary Michael Schnedlitz, who called for new elections.
Presently, with the polling figures as they are, the national-conservative Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) will be needed to form a majority coalition unless the center-right People’s Party (ÖVP) is willing to take a sharp left turn to join forces with the SPÖ along with either the Greens or NEOS.
Nehammer’s plan, and that of his conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), is being viewed as an attempt to seduce voters away from the FPÖ in the run-up to next year’s parliamentary elections, which, the latest polls say, the FPÖ has a good chance of dominating.
A mere 38% of respondents reported feeling satisfied with Austria’s political system in 2022, down from 67% who gave the same answer in 2018.
The Gallup Institute’s survey’s results are not particularly surprising in light of the massive numbers of voters who previously voted for establishment parties, but who have now thrown their support behind the FPÖ, seeing in them a party that offers an alternative vision for the country.
Nehammer’s words come as the FPÖ, led by Herbert Kickl, is by far the most popular party in Austria, nearly double digits ahead of the establishment ÖVP, which has seen its support plummet due to its draconian COVID-19 vaccine policy and support for war sanctions that have had disastrous effects on the economy.
The populist Right in charge of Austria for the first time ever? Communists in parliament? It’s not just a hypothetical: it’s currently the most likely scenario for 2024.
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