German media: Austria as a warning for Germany

As expected, the Austrian president entrusted the mandate to form the new government to FPO leader Herbert Kikl. Many German commentators draw parallels between what happened in Austria and Germany

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FPO Leader Herbert Kikl, Photo: REUTERS
FPO Leader Herbert Kikl, Photo: REUTERS
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

In their yesterday's editions, the German media wrote about the failed attempt to form a government in Austria. Namely, the conservative People's Party (OVP) and the Social Democratic Party (SPO) declared the coalition negotiations a failure.

Now the only option is to form a government with the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPO). As expected, Austrian President Aleksander van der Belen yesterday entrusted the mandate to form a new government to FPO leader Herbert Kikl.

"Zideutsche Zeitung" writes that Austria has often been a model for political development in Europe, recalling Jörg Haider, who in the mid-1990s hinted at "the birth of European right-wing populism".

"In Germany, the political situation in the neighboring country, where people like to spend their vacations, would have to be carefully monitored. At first glance, everything may seem strange, unusual and full of scandals. But it clearly indicates the disintegration of the former popular parties and the speed with which right-wing populist and right-wing extreme forces come to power. It could be a model that we will see in Germany in a few months," warns "Zidejche Zeitung".

"Kelner Staat anzeiger" sees the coalition problem in Austria as a warning for Germany: "Everyone should take it seriously, both politicians and voters. Politicians, who think they can make the right-wing redundant by copying their language and/or content, are wrong. It turns out that it doesn't work, it has the opposite effect. The same goes for those who treat politics like a reality show. Politics doesn't have to be boring, but it has to be more serious."

"It's not good news for progressive forces"

"Noje osnabriker zeitung" points out: "Limiting yourself, like the Austrian conservatives from the OVP and the social democrats from the SPO, only to the fact that they are against someone, is not a political concept or a successful strategy. It would be better if all the political forces of the center finally recognized and acknowledged the moods and needs reflected in the electoral successes of AfD, FPO, Trump and others."

"Frankfurter rundschau" draws a parallel between Germany, France and Austria: "As different as these three countries are, they still have one thing in common: the democratic parties lack ideas for their countries, but also for Europe, with which they could overcome the challenges of individual countries, as well as the continent."

"A lot of trust in media and politics has been lost"

"Cajt" in its online edition comments on the moves of the OVP: "A functional democracy requires an honest conservative party. It would be fair to call new elections after the failure of the coalition negotiations and enter the election campaign without ruling out cooperation with the FPO. This is how the OVP betrayed its voters and became a mainstay of right-wing populists."

"Tagescheitung (taz)" concludes: "Much trust in the media and politics has been lost. The FPO is winning over the disillusioned, relying on alternative media and criticizing the so-called 'system'. Almost all other parties have underestimated the importance of social policy. In a time of record inflation, growth unemployment and the threat of poverty, that is a serious omission.

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