Ex-politician goes on the offensive

Strolz: “The FPÖ is a terrible choice”

(Bild: krone.tv)

In an interview with krone.tv, Neos founder and former politician Matthias Strolz talks about his current life and current political issues. This includes the question of whether he will make a political comeback: "There is no exact date for my return to political life. I'm not running for the European elections or the National Council elections." 

He continued: "But yes, I am a political person and I can't run away from that. It just remains, you are or you aren't. Some people collect old furniture, others love skinny-dipping. And I love politics. Period. That's just the way it is. My glasses are deeply political."

Matthias Strolz in an interview(Bild: krone.tv)

He is concerned about the current shift to the right in Austria towards the Kickl-FPÖ: "Not because I see them as brutes. They are people too. But in terms of content, I disagree. As long as Kickl and the FPÖ do not distance themselves from their role model Hungary, they are a terrible choice for Austria." The Hungarian system would push independent media to one side. There would also be protection money payments and corruption.

Attempts to influence politicians
In his current career as a politician, he has also been approached by people time and again and asked for something: "That's how it is in politics, because you have to actively communicate with people and should do so." But there are also more extreme cases of attempted influence peddling. For example around "Fit mit Philipp", where Mr Jelinek may have approached Mr Strache for a possible ORF show, but may also have promised a possible quid pro quo.

Watch the video above to find out how Strolz views the verdict against Sebastian Kurz, how he sees the strengths and weaknesses of his successor Beate Meinl-Reisinger and how often explosive situations arise in politics regarding the disclosure of secrets.