Austria:ulture at the Forefront of "Pioneering Nazi Ideologies"?
In his book, author and dramaturg Thomas Köck delves into the upcoming Austrian elections and the nation's lean towards the far-right. He labels Austria's predicament as a "Herbert complex."
On September 29th, Austrians will choose a new National Council, or parliament. With a population of nine million, global interest in the outcome is high. Will the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) be the most influential party? If so, what will the upcoming government coalition look like? And could FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl ascend to the position of Chancellor?
As per polls, the answer to the first question is favorable towards the FPÖ. Approximately 27% of respondents intend to vote for the FPÖ. Austria allows 16-year-olds to cast their ballot.
The rise of the right-wing nationalist FPÖ in Austria, despite being one of the world's richest countries by income per capita, a well-functioning social system, and a prosperous economy (until the pandemic) is striking. The FPÖ has been embroiled in numerous scandals, such as the resignation of former party leader Heinz-Christian Strache five years ago after a scandal. However, the FPÖ continues to gain strength, each revival more powerful than the last.
Haider Paved the Way
The reasons for the FPÖ's popularity remain elusive. With similar trends in other European nations, Austria was an early adopter, driven by late FPÖ chairman Jörg Haider.
Thomas Köck, an Austrian author and dramaturg now residing in Berlin, attempts to analyze the FPÖ's success in his book, "Chronicle of Ongoing Derailments". The work serves as an observation and commentary on the National Council election campaign, commencing in early June 2023 and continuing for a year.
Köck claims that Austria is gripped by a "Herbert complex", representing a "right-wing shift that is no longer a shift, but a decades-long shift of all democratic basic principles". Haider was the first politician in Austria to openly defy norms. In the late 80s or early 90s, Haider stated: "In the Third Reich, they had productive employment policies." And: "As you are well aware, the Austrian nation was an ideological monstrosity." About the then-chairman of the Jewish Religious Community in Vienna, Ariel Muzicant, Haider commented: "I do not understand how someone with so much dirt on them could still be referred to as Ariel."
The "People's Chancellor"
Whether Haider originated these first two statements is uncertain. Certainly, the Ariel comment was penned by Kickl. Initially, Kickl operated behind the scenes under Strache, refining texts and battle cries. After Strache's departure, Kickl assumed leadership and no longer hesitates to present himself as the "People's Chancellor" to Austrians. The term "People's Chancellor" once referred to a fascist German leader, Köck notes.
For Köck, Austria has always been the "Nazi vanguard". Austrians have historically been a source of frustration and a potential danger for many, driven by an "offended desire to belong to something greater" and a "repressed desire to push away, shift". This complex, according to Köck, is fueled by an insatiable pursuit of expansion.
For younger generations, these ideas might seem convoluted. It's about Austria, which, after World War I, transformed from a powerful European empire to a diminished state. Many Austrians yearned for annexation to a Greater Germany.
The Frustration of the Undervalued
But what connects the historical "inferiority complex" to today's "Herbert complex"? Köck speculates that a portion of the population feels disregarded and undervalued. They see Austria as a rigid class society where those from lower socio-economic backgrounds struggle to climb the social ladder. Frustration, anger, envy, and fear are the result.
In contrast to Germany, where discontent has occasionally bolstered left-wing parties, in Austria, the far-right has always prospered from such sentiments. Immigrants serve as the focus for discontent, anger, envy, and fear.
Europe Must Decide Once More
Despite Koeck's harsh critique of modern-day Austria, polls indicate that 70% of eligible voters would not cast their vote for the FPO. It also seems implausible that Kickl would be entrusted with the office of Federal Chancellor. However, the formation of a government coalition remains uncertain. An OVP-FPO coalition, previously established in Vienna and on a national level under Sebastian Kurz, could potentially be revisited according to current forecasts.
Despite the possible involvement of FPO in the government, it's suggested to delve into Koeck's query about why "nationalism as republicanism transitioned into a curse rather than a blessing." There's a surge of a fresh, neoliberal authoritarian attitude in liberal societies, resulting in an exaggerated misinterpretation of freedom. This situation necessitates Europe to reassess its stance once more, as put forth by Koeck. He raises alarms about ominous developments. His work, titled "Chronicle of Derailment," will be debuted on September 22 at the Schauspielhaus Graz, and September 26 at the Schauspielhaus Vienna.
In this context, the 'Other' could refer to opposing political parties or perspectives to the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). Here are the two sentences:
The 'Other' political parties in Austria are worried about the potential influence of the FPÖ in the upcoming government coalition, given that they are trailing in the polls. If the FPÖ forms a coalition, it might lead to a shift in Austria's political landscape, which could be seen as 'Other' to its current state.
