Debate in the National Council

Referendum against Nehammer mainly appealed to the FPÖ

(Bild: APA/Helmut Fohringer)

Today, Thursday, the National Council discussed the petition for a referendum "Nehammer must go". The initiative, which was signed by around 106,000 people, was particularly well received by the FPÖ. The party presented many reasons why the Chancellor (ÖVP) should leave office.

These included the ÖVP leader's coronavirus policy, the terrorist attack in Vienna and "mass immigration". The initiators of the referendum had in turn argued that Chancellor Nehammer was to blame for the poor relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Thursday, ÖVP Secretary General Christian Stocker took this as an opportunity to criticize the FPÖ, as it is the party of "Putin's friends in Austria".

SPÖ and NEOS also expressed criticism
The SPÖ and NEOS were not necessarily enthusiastic about the referendum per se, but they still had points of criticism regarding Nehammer's chancellorship. According to the SPÖ, for example, the anti-inflation policy was a failure, while the NEOS missed reforms. The Social Democratic MPs stated that they would welcome it if Nehammer were not re-elected in the fall.

The Greens pointed out that the system does not provide for politicians to be voted out of office directly by the people. The aim of the referendum was to enable a vote of no confidence in the Federal Chancellor by the people. 100,000 signatures are required for the democratic instrument to be dealt with in parliament.