Austrian Elections & Politics 5.0 (Burgenland state election - January 26)

[President Johnson]

Hopefully this coalition ends now and FPÖ never rises to power again.

Would Kurz form another grand coalition without new elections? What the use of that? ÖVP-SPÖ have a comfortable majority. A new election wouldn't change that much other than the FPÖ losing a few points.

[President Johnson]

What happens if there is a motion of no confidence? In Germany, it works only if the Bundestag elects a new chancellor (a lesson taken from the Weimar Republic). I'm not sure it makes any sense to vote Kurz out of the chancellorship right now. Let him continue with a minority government/technocrat cabinet and wait until the new election plays out.

[President Johnson]

Would the newly appointed ministers gone on Monday if Kurz loses the Nationalrat vote?

[President Johnson]

Will Bierlein return the court after the election or is this the "crown" of her career in public service? I remember Greece had the head of the highest court acting as prime minister ahead of snap elections.

[President Johnson]

Looks like Green phenomena has swept to Austria as well. Obviously they take most votes from the SPÖ.

If Kurz wins the election, I hope he forms a coalition with the NEOS to establish a centrist, pro-EU government.

[President Johnson]

Tender, who do you prefer as chancellor from the three major party leaders?

[President Johnson]

Austria. Summer 2019.



"Underwear creates political firestorm between ÖVP and SPÖ."

This seems so ridiculous, the media should actually refuse to report on such non-issues. Come on.

[President Johnson]

He's doing what all right populists do: Play the victim of an evil establishment. Unfortunately, enough people have difficulty to realize these so-called "men of the people" are fraudulent disrupters who will hardly solve any problem.

[President Johnson]

The entire European Youth seems wild about the Green Parties. It's really a hype.

[President Johnson]

Market poll:

70% of FPÖ-voters want H.C. Strache's return to politics, 18% are opposed.

https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000106784672/fpoe-waehler-wollen-strache-zurueck

100% of Green-voters are opposed to Strache's return, as are 87% of SPÖ and 80% of ÖVP voters.

In total, 73% of Austrians don't want Strache to return, while 17% want a comeback.

LOL, they're like Trump supporters. Rally behind the leader even if he committed treason.

[President Johnson]

Kurz in an ORF TV interview today:

„Under my watch, Kickl will not become a government member again, no matter for which post. And the FPÖ will not get the Interior Ministry again.“

Kurz also said that he’s not opposed to another ÖVP-FPÖ government.

Clear words from Kurz, but his demands won’t go well with the FPÖ ...

The FPÖ has no other choice though other than to dump Kickl if they want to govern again, because President VdB also said no to another Kickl term.

https://orf.at/stories/3132098

He hasn't learned a thing. Hopefully he won't win this election.

[President Johnson]

^^ Probably members of a so-called "Clan" or connected to one, who make a ton of money through various crime activities. It has gotten out of control in Berlin and law enforcement just recently started to get much tougher on them.

[President Johnson]

The FPÖ is in deep trouble, with 3 weeks until the election:

(...)

This comes after Norbert Hofer said that "it is unimageinable for me that someone from the FPÖ is donating to or marching with the Identitarians." (see picture)

Stenzel has to report at Hofer's office tomorrow where further actions will be discussed.

She refuses to step down and calls the outcry "laughable".

Hofer said today he will stand by Stenzel and will not call for her resignation.

There goes any credibility that Hofer had ...

https://www.thejc.com/news/world/anger-after-austrian-politician-ursula-stenzel-with-jewish-roots-speaks-at-far-right-rally-1.488398

First he said "zero tolerance" when it comes to the Identitarians, now he doesn't mind it.

That's absolutely disgusting, but the FPÖ will end up in a coalition with Mr. Kurz anyway.

[President Johnson]

It's wonderful how the FPÖ has lost so much, though 16% is still too much. I guess a lot of their more moderate voters switched to the ÖVP.

Now I'm curious which coalition will be formed. I think the NEOs would be a good choice.

[President Johnson]

Please no grand coalition. There have been enough. The SPÖ should do constructive opposition work and let the Greens show that they can put some meat on bone rather than just talking.

[President Johnson]

The SPÖ is firing more than 25% of their party workforce and aides by Dec. 31 right after Christmas.

They also have 15 million € in debt.

The SPÖs vice general secretary also quit today out of solidarity with the party workers/aides.

https://orf.at/stories/3145499

This will go really well with the voters ... firing people during the Christmas holidays.

What a mess. Will the SPÖ follow the SPD's downfall? It's sad how social democratic parties are in decline almost everywhere.