Over sausages and beer

How Kickl was elected chancellor in Linz

Herbert Kickl enjoys the performance. The fairground beer tent in Linz can hold 5,000 people, which is how many guests there were in the end, according to the FPÖ.(Bild: FOTOKERSCHI.AT / APA / picturedesk.com)

There are still a few months to go until the National Council elections in the fall, but the Freedom Party and its chairman are already confident of victory. On May 1, the big party at the Urfahraner market in Linz was a hot affair. The Blue Party invited people to a rally, the "Krone" was there and made some interesting observations. 

Ten minutes before he takes to the stage, it is too hot even for Herbert Kickl. Surrounded by bodyguards, he leaves the beer tent in Linz-Urfahr: "It's a bit cooler out here," he says. When he stands on stage, his supporters get what they expect.