Herbert Kickl was re-elected as federal party leader of the FPÖ on Saturday. He received 96.94 percent of delegate votes, his best result so far. Before his confirmation at the party congress at Messe Salzburg, he once again made clear to the roughly 850 delegates his ambition to become “people’s chancellor.” In his speech, he again targeted the current government and invoked his idea of a “Third Republic.”
“We are the greatest democratization project of this country,” Kickl declared as the party’s course. He had already made clear before the congress that he draws inspiration from other right-wing politicians, praising the policies of US President Donald Trump. At the congress, he went further back in US history, citing former President Thomas Jefferson, who advised trusting the people. He compared his party to the loyalty of Hannibal’s army and also drew from the Apostle Paul. Like Paul, Kickl said, he wanted to return “faith, hope, and love” to the people.
“People’s Chancellorship” Remains Goal
Kickl told delegates to remain confident that the party could enter government after the next election. His declared aim remains the “people’s chancellorship,” even though this has not been achieved, even as the strongest party. “Without the possibility of failure, there is no possibility of success,” he said, reflecting on his leadership.
Kickl’s targets also remained the same: asylum policy, where he said there was no alternative to a “fortress Austria,” his denunciation of the “rainbow cult,” European interference, and the current “loser coalition” government. Only the FPÖ could change this, Kickl said: “These are the building blocks of a new Austria, of a free republic. One could also say the building blocks of a Third Republic.”
Incidents At The Congress
The congress did not pass without incident. Two activists abseiled from the roof of the hall entrance with a rainbow flag and a Palestinian flag before being removed by the fire brigade. Security measures inside the hall were extensive. A demonstration outside Messe Salzburg remained small and peaceful. Inside, however, FPÖ MP Hubert Fuchs fell from a stage staircase and was taken to hospital with injuries.
The event began with greetings from representatives of allied right-wing parties. Video messages were sent by Marine Le Pen, Viktor Orbán, Matteo Salvini, and Alice Weidel. Salzburg FPÖ leader Marlene Svazek welcomed the delegates first.
Deputies Also Confirmed
Kickl’s deputies were also confirmed: Erwin Angerer (Carinthia), Manfred Haimbuchner (Upper Austria), Mario Kunasek (Styria), Udo Landbauer (Lower Austria), Marlene Svazek (Salzburg), and Harald Stefan (Vienna). The congress also adopted a policy motion titled Freedom. Progress. Fairness. Peace., prefaced with words by US Vice President JD Vance.
Kickl’s words drew sharp criticism from rivals. SPÖ federal manager Klaus Seltenheim called him “Austria’s most cowardly party leader who incites, divides, and excludes.” NEOS general secretary Douglas Hoyos said Kickl engaged “only in division and agitation instead of offering solutions.” The Greens criticized pro-Russian tones, with federal spokeswoman Leonore Gewessler warning that “pseudo-patriot” Kickl “apparently wants to deliver our country to Putin.”
Kickl’s Previous Results
Under Kickl, the FPÖ became the largest party in the National Council for the first time, winning 28.8 percent in last year’s election. He did not become “people’s chancellor,” as he calls it, because the ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS formed a coalition, leaving him without partners. Kickl has since said he will run again as lead candidate and further widen the gap to the other parties.
Kickl was widely expected to secure overwhelming support at the Salzburg congress. In 2021, he was elected with 88.24 percent in Wiener Neustadt as Norbert Hofer’s successor. In 2022, he received 91 percent at the regular congress in St. Pölten.
