Austria: Mass protests towards the FPÖ’s takeover of presidency | EUROtoday

Tens of 1000’s of individuals demonstrated in Austria towards a societal shift to the suitable and the formation of a authorities led by a chancellor from the right-wing populist FPÖ. In Vienna alone, round 25,000 individuals gathered in entrance of the Chancellery that night, in accordance with authorities. There have been additionally protests in Innsbruck, Salzburg and Graz. Almost on the identical time, the conservative ÖVP introduced that coalition negotiations with the FPÖ have now been formally agreed upon by each events and will start quickly.

After the FPÖ’s election victory within the fall, the earlier chancellor’s celebration, ÖVP, initially tried to forge a coalition from the centrist events. After these talks collapsed final weekend, FPÖ chief Herbert Kickl obtained the federal government mandate from Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen – and thus the prospect to turn into chancellor.

“We are entering into negotiations with the FPÖ,” stated ÖVP chief Christian Stocker. He as soon as once more cited the preservation of liberal democracy, Austria’s EU membership and the rejection of Russian affect because the “most important cornerstones” for his celebration. In doing so, he not directly addressed the FPÖ’s anti-EU and Russia-friendly stance, that are seen as doable obstacles.

The ÖVP and FPÖ largely agree on their restrictive stance towards immigration. It continues to be unclear whether or not they can overcome their international coverage variations to type a authorities. There are additionally atmospheric tensions between the 2 events. Before the negotiations started, Kickl had demanded that the ÖVP admit accountability for the financial disaster. The ÖVP, however, has repeatedly described the FPÖ as a safety danger for Austria.

“Never again is now”

Demonstrators in Vienna held up indicators and banners with messages reminiscent of “We don’t want a right-wing extremist Austria” and “Never again is now.” Many slogans have been additionally directed towards FPÖ chief Herbert Kickl because the doable subsequent chancellor. The crowd booed when it was introduced throughout the demonstration that the FPÖ and ÖVP had formally determined to start out coalition negotiations.

30 organizations, together with non-governmental organizations reminiscent of Volkshilfe and Greenpeace, known as for the protests below the motto “Alarm for the Republic”. “There is a threat of an authoritarian attack on democracy, human rights, environmental protection and social cohesion in our country,” it stated of their protest name. Protest posters warned towards agitation, social cuts and setbacks in environmental safety. Participants informed the AFP information company that they feared that Austria would develop below an FPÖ-led authorities like neighboring Hungary below Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Schallenberg is taking on on an interim foundation

The Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will take over the workplace of Federal Chancellor on an interim foundation on Friday. According to an announcement from the presidential workplace, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will formally give the politician from the conservative ÖVP the duty of constant the “administration of the Federal Chancellery” and taking on the chairmanship of the interim authorities at 11 a.m. The cause for Schallenberg’s interim appointment is the resignation of Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP).

Nehammer introduced final weekend that he would resign as each chancellor and ÖVP chief following his celebration’s failed coalition negotiations with the social democratic SPÖ and the liberal Neos.