"In a rush for power"

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Vorarlberg's Governor Markus Wallner (ÖVP, l.) sharply criticizes FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl.(Bild: Alex HALADA / AFP, APA/DIETMAR MATHIS, Krone KREATIV)

Vorarlberg's VP state party chairman, Governor Markus Wallner, has strong words for FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, whose uncompromising behavior has brought the government negotiations in Vienna to a standstill. A statesman needs skills that Kickl obviously does not have. He is also "caught up in a power trip".

"Instead of taking responsibility and approaching the other negotiating partners, Kickl remains stuck in opposition mode. He is clearly unable to make the transition from opposition leader to head of government," he attests to the FPÖ leader.

The ÖVP had played a constructive role in the talks from the outset, but forming a government meant jumping over one's own shadow and working out solutions for the whole country.

Vorarlberg's Governor Markus Wallner (ÖVP, l.) sharply criticizes FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl.(Bild: Alex HALADA / AFP, APA/DIETMAR MATHIS, Krone KREATIV)

"Cooperation at eye level is necessary"
"A Federal Chancellor must demonstrate the ability to engage in dialog, act like a statesman and work together with all those in positions of responsibility - at eye level, with respect and a clear pro-European stance," he clarifies. There were increasing signs that Herbert Kickl was unable to do this. 

Instead of "viable solutions", Kickl is apparently only interested in power. "He is caught up in a power frenzy instead of making viable compromises in terms of content and competence. If he insists on these points of view, there is no state to be made with him."

"Anyone in a power frenzy is not fit to govern"
On Tuesday, Harald Mahrer, President of the Chamber of Commerce, put the rod in Kickl's window: "Austria is a democracy and basic democratic principles are important. Anyone who is not willing to reach a consensus and is only in a rush for power may not be fit to govern."