German media: Austria as a warning for Germany

SOURCE: DW- AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS

The German media are covering the failed attempt to form a government in Austria in their today's editions. Namely, the conservative People's Party (ÖVP) and the social democratic SPÖ have declared coalition negotiations a failure. After that, the only option was to form a government with the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). In the meantime, it was announced that Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen today (6.1.) gave the mandate to form a new government to the head of the FPÖ, Herbert Kickl.

In its commentary, the Süddeutsche Zeitung writes that Austria has often been a model for political development in Europe, and among other things, it recalls Jörg Haider, who in the mid-1990s predicted the "birth of European right-wing populism".

"In Germany, the political situation in the neighboring country, where people so enjoy spending their holidays, should be closely monitored. At first glance, everything may seem strange, unusual and accompanied by scandals. But it speaks very clearly about the collapse of the former people's parties and the speed with which right-wing populist to right-wing extremist forces are coming to power. This could be a model that could also be seen in Germany in a few months," warns the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger also sees the coalition problem in Austria as a warning for Germany: "Everyone should take this to heart, both politicians and voters. For politicians, this applies to those who think they can make right-wingers redundant by copying their language and/or content. It has turned out that this does not work, but has the opposite effect. It also applies to those who treat politics like a reality show. Politics doesn't have to be boring, but it needs to be more serious."

"That's not good news for progressive forces"

The Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung emphasizes: "Limiting oneself, like the Austrian conservatives of the ÖVP and the Social Democrats of the SPÖ, to just being against someone is not a political concept or a successful strategy. It would be better if all the political forces of the center finally recognized and acknowledged the moods and needs that are reflected in the electoral successes of the AfD, the FPÖ, Trump and others."

The Frankfurter Rundschau, on the other hand, notes that after the failed coalition negotiations between the conservatives and the Social Democrats, the time could come for the FPÖ. It warns: "That would mean another EU member state turning to the right. That's not good news for progressive forces within the Union." This paper draws a parallel between Germany, France and Austria: "As different as these three countries are, they still have one thing in common: the democratic parties lack ideas for their country, but also for Europe, with which they could overcome the challenges of individual countries as well as the continent."

"A lot of trust in media and politics has been lost"

Die Zeit, on the other hand, comments on the ÖVP's moves in its online edition: "A functional democracy needs an honest conservative party." It would be fair to go for new elections after the collapse of the coalition negotiations and enter the election campaign without ruling out cooperation with the FPÖ. This is how the ÖVP deceived its voters and became the mainstay of right-wing populists."

And the Tageszeitung (taz) concludes: "A lot of trust in media and politics has been lost." FPÖ wins the disillusioned, relies on alternative media, criticizes the so-called 'system'. Almost all other parties underestimated how important social policy is. In times of record inflation, rising unemployment and the threat of poverty, this is a serious oversight."