"Inbred party" slogan

Kickl’s statements cause nationwide outrage

Herbert Kickl lashes out at Salzburg's festival guests in election campaign mode.(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

Whether it was his affront to the Salzburg Festival or his nostalgic thoughts about the era of SPÖ Chancellor Bruno Kreisky: Herbert Kickl's election campaign kick-off in Hallein caused outrage from the governor to the red head of the federal government.

"I don't want to be there at all, with these hypocrites, with this inbred party", railed Herbert Kickl during his election campaign tour in Hallein in the direction of the Salzburg Festival. 

Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) responded: "My opinion on Kickl's politics is well known. Even during election campaigns, one should maintain a minimum of respect. Kickl fails to recognize the great importance of the festival."

Representatives of the ÖVP-FPÖ provincial government at the Festival reception of the Federation of Austrian Industries. LH Haslauer (3rd from right) just shakes his head at Kickl's statements. Marlene Svazek (2nd from right) wants to put things into perspective.(Bild: IV Salzburg / Kolarik)

"Kickl certainly meant the federal government"
 Haslauer's deputy Marlene Svazek wants to put her FPÖ leader's statement into perspective: "Kickl was certainly referring to the federal government at the Festival, not the people of Salzburg, who benefit economically from it and are proud of the Festival's tradition." There is no distancing.

Festival Director Lukas Crepaz simply states in response to Kickl: "This statement disqualifies itself." Salzburg's KPÖ deputy city leader Kay-Michael Dankl, formerly known as a Festival critic, was there live this year. He says: "It is hypocritical to receive more than 20,000 euros a month in taxpayers' money but to present yourself as the voice of the little man."

Babler: "FPÖ destroys Kreisky achievements." 
Salzburg is not the only place where people are outraged. Even SPÖ boss Andreas Babler reacted to Kickl's statement about his political idols from the 1970s (Kreisky): "The FPÖ can't have any role models in its own party. Because when the FPÖ is in government, it sets about destroying the achievements that we have to thank Kreisky for. As you can see with the destruction of the healthcare system."