“The Kickl-FPÖ is out of the question, and there is currently no other FPÖ,” the ÖVP politician is quoted as saying in the news magazine “profil”. For this he puts his hand in the fire. “The FPÖ has developed into a leader’s party; the so-called People’s Chancellor is revered almost disdainfully in the FPÖ.”
“No automatism”
He also questions previous practices such as the party with the highest number of votes appointing the President of the National Council with regard to the Freedom Party. There is no automatism here and Parliament will think carefully regarding who it elects as President following the National Council election.
In any case, he would “certainly not” elect Kickl as President of the National Council and Sobotka assumed that all parties would act responsibly and nominate a person “who they expect to be able to fill the office well.” The aim is anyway for the ÖVP to emerge as number 1 in the election and for Karl Nehammer to remain Chancellor.
“I’m not a rabid pearl”
Sobotka once once more rejected allegations that he himself had damaged the office of National Council President. There have been repeated investigations once morest him, but no charges. He also defended his style. “I’m not a rabid pearl.” He just has a clear attitude, which he sometimes conveys with the necessary emphasis.
