Biography and warning

Book about Herbert Kickl to be published next week

FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl(Bild: Klemens Groh)

The book "Kickl and the Destruction of Europe", written by the two "profil" journalists Gernot Bauer and Robert Treichler, will be published next week. The book is intended to be a biography as well as a chronology of the party and a warning.

It begins with the childhood of the FPÖ politician, who was born in Villach on October 19, 1968. Kickl grew up as a working-class boy in a family with a Nazi background. His grandfather was a member of the NSDAP. In "Kickl and the Destruction of Europe", his school days and his fascination with the military have also found their way into the story. 

There is talk of a "talented incompetent" who had neither completed an army career nor a degree. According to the book, the fact that Kickl ended up in the FPÖ is due to a chance encounter. The then deputy managing director of the Freedom Party Academy is said to have written his contact details on a beer mat.

Speechwriter for Haider
The politician, who is described as "socially somewhat uptight", later ended up working for Jörg Haider, including as a speechwriter. A long party career followed, for example as General Secretary. "Kickl and the Destruction of Europe" also deals with his rise to party leader, which is said to have been accompanied by a "wild, internal party intrigue", and well-documented views in the media on topics such as coronavirus, migration and Europe.

The FPÖ leader was not available for interviews. The book is published by Paul Zsolnay Verlag and will be available from next week.