Kickl's Helpers

The ÖVP leadership is out of touch. It was a mistake by parliamentary group leader August Wöginger to agree to a diversion in the job allocation trial, just as it was foolish for party leader, Chancellor Christian Stocker, to be pleased about it. All of Austria finally sees what is: After denying it for years, Wöginger admitted to having advocated for the appointment of a party colleague as head of a tax office in Upper Austria. Meanwhile, a better-qualified candidate was overlooked. This contradicts the ÖVP's code of conduct and, incidentally, their ongoing rhetoric that performance should be rewarded: The unsuccessful candidate learned what so many people in Austria know: It's all about the party membership card. Period.

Legally, Wöginger remains unpunished through a diversion, but politically it is clear that he has crossed boundaries. It is very likely that the damage for him would have been less if he had been convicted. He could have at least said that he felt unfairly treated and was convinced he had done nothing wrong.

Now he stands without a conviction, but with an admission of guilt, and a veritable wave is breaking over him and his party: He has made himself unbelievable by ultimately admitting what he previously denied. More importantly: Precisely because he and his party friends act as if everything is settled, they provoke criticism and a confrontation with the case.

It becomes clear that job allocation is the most normal thing in the world for the ÖVP. That Stocker, their leader, demands zero tolerance in dealing with refugees, but allows maximum tolerance for corrupt behavior within their own ranks.

It is incredible: Through and by Wöginger, Herbert Kickl, who has already led the FPÖ to 35 percent according to surveys, is strengthened; indeed, the carpet to the chancellery is rolled out even further for him than it already is. Wöginger is one of Kickl's greatest helpers.

The FPÖ leader does not need to comment further on the case. In a statement, he leaves it at general remarks such as that the judiciary makes decisions that are incomprehensible to people. The "alleged third power" is in cahoots with the powerful. And that is precisely the division of society: "Self-proclaimed elites against the interests of the sovereign."

In other words, it is what Kickl has long claimed across the country: The powerful can arrange things for themselves; they only think of themselves and disregard the citizens. In this specific case, it was important to Wöginger that one of his own becomes the head of a tax office, at the expense of a better-qualified candidate, and it was a signal to all Austrians: "I help my people." Conversely, it means: "I don't care about you."

This, in turn, is the point where Kickl connects with his populist chancellorship: He claims to clean up and devote himself exclusively to the citizens. Which should be taken with caution, as he likes to portray the people as a unit without different views and interests. However, this resonates with people like Wöginger. And it is no wonder.

Johannes Huber runs the blog dieSubstanz.at – Analyses and backgrounds on politics

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.