The leader of the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) said that his party does not want to leave the European Union, but called for an end to what he called Brussels’ “climate communism”.
Herbert Kickl, who is likely to become Austria’s first post-war far-right chancellor in the coming weeks, told around 3,000 supporters gathered in Vösendorf near Vienna that “no member of the Freedom Party wants to leave the European Union”.
But he also added that Brussels should enter a phase of “self-reflection” instead of “self-aggrandizement”, all in the interest of economic development. He also believes that the bureaucracy should be reduced and added that he advocates for the end of what he called “climate communism”.
Kickl also repeated his demands for the creation of an “Austria as a fortress” that is hostile to immigration. The country is supposed to introduce a series of “paragraphs and regulations, benefits in kind instead of cash, also a lot of negative asylum decisions, travel certificates and deportation flights”.
Dealing with immigration is a matter of destiny for the continent and beyond Austria, Kickl said.
The 56-year-old, whose party opposes EU sanctions on Russia, dismissed accusations that he was pro-Moscow, instead saying he was “very close to neutral”. In accordance with its constitution, Austria advocates neutrality and is not a member of NATO.
The FPÖ is currently negotiating with the conservative Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) to form a government.
(Vijesti.ba/HINA)
