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"Vienna declaration of Orbán and Kikkel provokes strong reaction in Austria

Political scandal after the signing of an agreement that divides Austrian parties

Nov 1, 2024 18:08 50

"Vienna declaration of Orbán and Kikkel provokes strong reaction in Austria  - 1

Signed yesterday by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the leader of the Austrian party of Freedom (APS) Herbert Kickle “The Vienna Declaration” caused a sharp reaction from the Austrian parties, the media in the Alpine republic reported, as quoted by BTA.

Kickle's signature “on behalf of Austria is tantamount to political arrogance. He does not represent Austria to the outside world in any official capacity”, criticized today the general secretary of the Austrian People's Party (ANP) Christian Stocker. Kickle is “continuing his policy of arrogance and provocation,” Stocker said in a press release quoted by Austrian radio and television ORF.

Ziggy Maurer from the Green party also stressed: “Herbert Kickle cannot sign anything from the Austrian side”. Maurer added on the X social network: “He does not speak for our country and certainly not for the people who believe in an open and fair society. Everything he and the APS do is a megalomaniacal, fake game.

According to the original text of the declaration signed in Vienna, the most important principles of APS and Orban's right-wing nationalist party FIDES in relation to Europe are summarized, writes ORF. The first sentence reads: “Hungary and Austria hereby reaffirm their friendly neighborly relations and their unshakable historical and cultural ties.“

Stocker also criticized the fact that during Orbán's visit to the chairman of the National Council Walter Rosenkrantz in the reception hall of the parliament yesterday “the EU flag was removed”. This shows Kickle's “total disregard for Austria and the EU”.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the APS, Christian Hafeneker, called for the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor and Minister of State Administration, Werner Kogler. In a press release, he called on Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer to “immediately propose to Federal President Alexander van der Bellen the dismissal of Federal Minister Kogler”. The reason for this is Kogler's “statements and ugly insults” against Orban. At a press conference in Vienna, Kogler called Orban “anti-democrat, anti-European and an apologist for Putin”, ORF recalls.