On 14 June this year, the Austrian Freedom organization (FPÖ) reunion will be held in the picturesque Tyrolean Kitzbühel, where Herbert Kickl will be re-elected as president of the group. Although it seems to be just another regular organization procedure, the event has the possible for a political earthquake – not only for FPÖ, but besides for the full Austrian political scene.
Kickl, who presently remains the party's undisputed leader, runs FPÖ for 1 of the most crucial moments in its history. After obtaining the best electoral consequence in 2024 (28.25%), however, the organization was incapable to enter the government with the ÖVP, which kept it in opposition benches. Now the FPÖ is preparing for another offensive – with Kickle in the lead.
Herbert Kickl was born on 19 October 1968 in Villach, confederate Austria. He completed German studies and doctrine at the University of Vienna, although these studies never formally finished. Already in his youth he showed interest in politics and rapidly went to FPÖ structures, where he began his career as 1 of Jörg Haider's closest associates – a controversial but charismatic leader who revolutionized the Austrian right in the 1990s.
It was Haider who shaped FPÖ's rhetoric, giving it a national-conservative tone, anti-establishment and powerfully critical of the European Union. Kickl took over not only the way he spoke, but besides the political strategy. For many years he acted in the shadows – as an advisor, spin doctor and author of election campaigns – before reaching for the highest organization positions.
One of Kickl's talents who brought him to the top of the organization was his ability to operate with his tongue. As a erstwhile author of Haider's speeches, later besides Heinza-Christian Fear, Kickl became celebrated for the harsh, provocative rhetoric that could attract media attention and simultaneously mobilize the FPÖ electorate.
The slogans specified as "Daham stat Islam" (House, not Islam) or "Mehr Mut für unser Wiener Blut" (More courage for our Vienna blood) were widely commented on – any saw effective political message, another racism and xenophobia. However, there is no uncertainty that Kickl can perfectly read social sentiments and translate them into the language of political mobilization.
In December 2017, Kickl assumed the position of Home Minister in the ÖVP-FPÖ coalition government under Sebastian Kurz. That's erstwhile the most expressive phase of his career began. Kickl pushed a tough stance towards immigration, asylum law improvement and strengthening police forces.
It was during his word that searches took place at the Austrian Constitutional Protection Office (BVT), which many commentators referred to as an effort at "political purity". In consequence to the crisis, president Alexander Van der Bellen refused to entrust Kickl with further management of the resort—it was 1 of the first cases erstwhile the head of state interfered in specified a direct way in the arrangement of forces within the government.
In 2019, the scandal of the alleged "Ibiza-Affäre", which active Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, led to the collapse of the coalition and the setting of early elections. Although FPÖ lost any of its support at the time, Kickl began to appear as the main candidate to take the helm in the party.
In 2021, after the resignation of Norbert Hofer, Kickl was elected president of FPÖ – with the consequence of 88.24% of the vote. A year later, during the next reunion, he gained even stronger support (91%). His position inside the organization was thus established.
Kickl led FPÖ through many electoral campaigns – both at national and local level. Especially remembered is the run before the regional elections in Tyrol in 2022, where the organization achieved amazingly good results, as Kickl described the beginning of the "blue wave of success".
In 2024, FPÖ won the highest support in the national elections – 28.25%, ahead of both ÖVP and SPÖ. Nevertheless, the coalition was not formed due to the fact that the talks with the people ended in failure. However, Kickl inactive presents the organization as a “force of the future” and an alternate to the political agreement to date.
The June reunion in Kitzbühel is not accidentally organised in Tyrol – Western Austria is simply a region where FPÖ has had little influence until recently. Kickl wants to change that, stressing the importance of decentralization and organization presence besides outside Vienna and Lower Austria.
It is besides an effort to build the image of a national leader who can talk to various segments of the electorate. Kitzbühel, known for its elite lifestyle and winter sports, becomes a symbol of the fresh FPÖ offensive – more mainstream but inactive based on extremist rhetoric.
During the party's board meeting, in addition to the decision on Kickl's candidacy, a fresh press spokesperson, Lisa Schuch-Gubik, associate of the National Council and an worker of FPÖ Media House, was besides elected. It's a signal that the organization besides focuses on the younger generation and fresh channels of communication – including social media and video content.
Herbert Kickl does not hide his ambition – he openly says that he wants to be Chancellor. Although his management kind and language are controversial, he has a loyal electorate and proven electoral machinery behind him. The June reunion in Kitzbühel will not only be a test of intraparty trust, but besides a show of force before another circular of political struggles in Austria.
