In Austria the right wins. The newspapers seem to treat the topic as yet another novelty, the “black wave” that has accidentally hit Europe. But in truth, if you know how to add up, the numbers begin to add up. In France the first party is that of Marine Le Penconsidered a “right-wing extremist”, stopped at the threshold of the government only thanks to the French electoral law and unnatural alliances between centrists and left-wingers. In Spain Vox has now consolidated itself and is no longer a meteor. In Germany, the German elite is still in shock over the results in Thuringia and Saxony, where the AfD became the leading party for the first time, while in Brandenburg the revived SPD managed to maintain its lead only by a whisker. And then Italy, firmly governed by conservatives. Hungary’s Orban. Wilders’ Holland. And now Austria’s Herbert Kickl, emerged victorious yesterday from the elections for the renewal of the lower house.
The result of the elections
Who is Herbert Kickl
In short: Herbert Kickl dreams. And whatever happens, his is already an extraordinary result. Born in 1968 in Carinthia, into a family with a modest working-class background, Kickl stood out from an early age for his intense interest in politics, an interest that took a decisive direction when he met Jörg Haider, then the charismatic leader of the FPÖ. This meeting marked the turning point in his life: having abandoned his university studies, Kickl dedicated himself full time to politics, adhering to and spreading ultra-nationalist policies and anti-immigration which characterized the FPÖ under Haider’s leadership. Married and a father, he shows an interest in physically demanding activities such as mountaineering and marathons. Despite his passions, he is often described as a person prone to loneliness, an aspect that shines through even in rare public moments.
Kickl’s communication is characterized by aggression and provocations. During his tenure as Minister of the Interior (2017-2019), his restrictive policies and criticism of the European Convention on Human Rights fueled heated debates. His positions on Russia and those against Islam recall those of his friend Orban. Kickl has demonstrated a remarkable ability to intercept and amplify the concerns of the electorate, focusing on issues such as immigration, safety, inflation And energy crisis. Its expertise in using social media and public platforms to communicate has kept the FPÖ firmly in the Austrian political arena.