Heinz-Christian “HC” Strache, the former head of Austria’s right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ), has taken a swipe at his successor, Herbert Kickl, accusing him of political miscalculation. In a fiery post on X, Strache argued that Kickl botched coalition talks with the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), ultimately paving the way for Austria’s new left-leaning government.
According to Strache, Kickl’s decision to prematurely abandon negotiations directly led to the formation of a governing coalition between the ÖVP, the Social Democrats (SPÖ), and the liberal Neos party. “Why did Kickl give up the mandate?” Strache questioned. “Instead of pushing for a center-right government, which Austria desperately needs, he handed power to the left.”
The controversy stems from events in early 2024. Kickl, despite leading the FPÖ to victory in the September election, struggled to negotiate a power-sharing agreement with the ÖVP. Talks ultimately fell apart over disagreements on ministerial appointments, and on February 12, Kickl returned his mandate to form a government. This move opened the door for renewed discussions between the SPÖ, Neos, and ÖVP, culminating in the March 3rd swearing-in of what some critics have labeled Austria’s “most left-wing government to date.”
Strache’s criticism didn’t stop there. He accused Kickl of enabling SPÖ leader Andreas Babler—a self-proclaimed Marxist— to rise to power as Vice Chancellor. Kickl’s “stubbornness,” he claimed, cost Austria “five good years” by missing the opportunity for an FPÖ-led government. He warned that history could repeat itself in future elections, as the FPÖ would still need the ÖVP as a coalition partner. Without a willingness to compromise, he argued, real change would be impossible.
Predictably, Strache’s remarks sparked backlash from within Austria’s right-wing circles. Prominent conservative commentator Gerald Markel slammed Strache’s outburst as “political suicide,” insisting that Kickl had no choice but to reject ÖVP’s unrealistic demands. FPÖ members have long accused the ÖVP of engaging in negotiations purely for show, rather than with any real intention of forming a government.
For Strache, the attack on Kickl comes at a time when he’s trying to reassert himself in Austrian politics. Having left the FPÖ in 2019, he now leads his own party, Team HC Strache, and is gearing up for the Vienna city council elections in April 2025. His latest comments suggest he still sees himself as a key player on Austria’s right—though whether his words will help or hurt his own political ambitions remains to be seen.
