ÖVP club member August Wöginger once again used this in a press release to accuse Kickl, who had struck a softer tone on recent posters, of radicalism. The Freedom Party leader should rule out such a referendum. Kickl made the statement in an interview with the “Presse” and state newspapers (Friday editions). He spoke out in favor of a continuity from a referendum to a law.
“Every law that can be passed in the National Council should also be able to be passed in the form of a popular initiative,” he said. Parliament can introduce the death penalty, so “it must logically be possible for a popular initiative as well.” He himself is a clear opponent and does not believe that this would be able to gain a majority.
Storm of protest among political opponents
The statement had already sparked a storm of protest from political opponents on Friday. On Saturday, Wöginger went even further and demanded that Kickl rule out such a referendum after his “absurd announcement”. “Even in the model of direct democracy, human rights are non-negotiable. In Switzerland, too, referendums must not contravene international law and human rights,” Wöginger stressed: “The death penalty is medieval and violates human rights for good reason.”
Already on Friday, the ÖVP, from party leader Karl Nehammer downwards, as well as the SPÖ and the Greens, had strongly rejected Kickl’s statements. General Secretary Christian Hafenecker stepped in for the FPÖ. The “feigned fear” of a reintroduction of the death penalty in Austria is completely unfounded. Every law, regardless of whether it comes about through a parliamentary resolution or a “popular initiative”, must ultimately be measured against the constitution and the basic rights and freedoms protected by the constitution, stressed Hafenecker.