Herbert Kickl

Kickl grew up in a working-class family and attended primary school in Radenthein. He graduated from grammar school in Spittal an der Drau alongside future Greens leader Eva Glawischnig.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/de/article/wer-ist-herbert-kickl/|title=Who is Herbert Kickl?|date=22 December 2017|language=de|website=Vice}} He did his military service with the mountain troops as a one-year volunteer from 1987 to 1988. He then began studying journalism and political science at the University of Vienna, and from 1989, philosophy and history. He did not complete either degree.

Between 1995 and 2001, Kickl worked for the FPÖ's party academy in the area of campaign strategy and content, rising to deputy executive director in 2001. After the Knittelfeld Putsch in 2002, he became executive director, a position he held until 2006. In this capacity, he was a speechwriter for long-time FPÖ leader Jörg Haider. Among other things, he wrote inflammatory statements about French president Jacques Chirac and Jewish Community of Vienna president Ariel Muzicant, and was responsible for controversial campaign slogans such as the 2010 Viennese state election slogan "Viennese blood - too much foreign is not good for anyone."

After Haider left the party in 2005 and launched the Alliance for the Future of Austria, Kickl remained with FPÖ and became one of his harshest critics. In the aftermath, Kickl was elected general-secretary of the FPÖ and director of the party newspaper Neue Freie Zeitung, positions which he held until 2018 and 2017 respectively. As general-secretary he was responsible for public relations and internal communication, and was considered the chief strategist of the FPÖ and the "right-hand man" of leader Heinz-Christian Strache.{{cite web|url=https://www.trend.at/politik/herbert-kickl-fpoe-stratege-komfortzone-8439580|title=Interior Minister Herbert Kickl: FPÖ strategist outside his comfort zone|date=10 November 2017|language=de|website=Trend|access-date=1 December 2021|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201024006/https://www.trend.at/politik/herbert-kickl-fpoe-stratege-komfortzone-8439580|url-status=dead}} He was elected to the National Council in 2006 and served as deputy chair of the FPÖ parliamentary faction. From 2016 to 2021, he was president of the FPÖ Education Institute.{{cite web|url=https://orf.at/v2/stories/2348606|title=Kickl succeeds Kabas at the head of the FPÖ education institute|date=8 July 2016|language=de|website=ORF}}

File:2018-02-15 Herbert Kickl 9246.jpg

After the 2017 Austrian legislative election, the FPÖ joined the federal government as a junior partner to the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). Kickl was sworn in as Federal Minister for the Interior on 17 December.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42379985|title=Austria far right: Freedom Party wins key posts in new government|date=16 December 2017|website=BBC}} In this capacity, he was embroiled in a number of scandals. He was accused of failing to take serious responsibility as a minister, instead acting as if he were still in the opposition, as well as misusing his office and fostering a development away from liberal democracy and the rule of law.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/de/article/wer-ist-herbert-kickl/|title=Who is Herbert Kickl?|date=22 December 2017|language=de|website=Vice}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/oesterreichs-innenminister-kickl-duennhaeutig-streitsuechtig-nuetzlich-a-1232869.html|title=Thin-skinned, contentious - and useful|date=12 October 2018|language=de|website=Der Spiegel}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.profil.at/meinung/eva-lisinger-last-exit-opfer-fpoe-10371151|title=Eva Linsinger: Last exit: victim|date=29 September 2018|language=de|website=Profil}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.badische-zeitung.de/computer-medien-1/auf-dem-weg-in-eine-illiberale-demokratie--157117649.html|title=On the way to an illiberal democracy|date=28 September 2018|language=de|website=Badische Zeitung}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.news.at/a/politik-gewissen-%C3%B6sterreichs-10375431|title=Why our conscience|date=1 October 2018|language=de|website=NEWS}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/austrian-interior-minister-accused-of-attacking-rule-of-law/a-47224454|title=Austrian interior minister accused of 'attacking rule of law'|date=24 January 2019|website=Deutsche Welle}}

In a press conference on 11 January 2018, Kickl said he wanted "services centres and infrastructure that would allow the authorities to concentrate asylum seekers in one place", which was widely interpreted as an allusion to concentration camps, though he denied that the phrasing was intentional or that he sought to be provocative.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42652518|title=Far-right Austria minister's 'Nazi language' causes anger|date=11 January 2018|website=BBC}}

In March 2018, Kickl suspended Peter Gridling, head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism (BVT), and ordered raids against its offices and the homes of a number of staff, seizing nineteen gigabytes of data. Kickl claimed that his actions were necessitated by Gridling and the agency's failure to delete sensitive data. His actions were criticised by opposition politicians, who accused him of seeking to undermine the independence of the BVT and to protect right-wing extremist groups close to the FPÖ. President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen described the events as "extremely unusual and disconcerting". Government spokesman for security Werner Amon stated that the interior ministry had failed to work through the proper channels, and that unprompted searches of staff members' homes was not normal procedure.{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/oesterreichs-innenminister-kickl-duennhaeutig-streitsuechtig-nuetzlich-a-1232869.html|title=Thin-skinned, contentious - and useful|date=12 October 2018|language=de|website=Der Spiegel}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/austrian-police-raid-on-agency-prompts-outrage/a-42960940|title=Austrian police raid on agency prompts outrage|date=13 March 2018|website=Deutsche Welle}}

Kickl was criticised in September 2018 after an email addressed to the police by his ministerial spokesman surfaced recommending that they limit contact with critical media outlets to a bare minimum. This prompted criticism from Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who condemned "any restriction of freedom of the press". Kickl stated he did not approve of the email's content, and the FPÖ accused the media of conducting a coordinated witch hunt against him.{{cite web|url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/oesterreich-pressefreiheit-kickl-1.4143829|title=Kurz: "Any restriction of freedom of the press is not acceptable"|date=25 September 2018|language=de|website=Süddeutsche Zeitung}}{{cite web|url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000088222290/fpoe-beklagt-inszenierte-medienhatz-gegen-kickl|title=FPÖ complains of "staged media hate" against Kickl|date=27 September 2018|language=de|website=Der Standard}} Kickl has also been accused of wielding the police for political purposes, lodging legal complaints against individuals and journalists who write negatively about him.{{cite web|url=https://www.profil.at/meinung/eva-lisinger-last-exit-opfer-fpoe-10371151|title=Eva Linsinger: Last exit: victim|date=29 September 2018|language=de|website=Profil}}{{cite web|url=https://www.badische-zeitung.de/computer-medien-1/auf-dem-weg-in-eine-illiberale-demokratie--157117649.html|title=On the way to an illiberal democracy|date=28 September 2018|language=de|website=Badische Zeitung}}

In January 2019, Kickl voiced his demand for faster deportation of refugees who had committed crimes, stating that deportation should be possible immediately after conviction, before full legal process has been completed. He later corrected his position, stating that the full legal process should be carried out before deportation, but further said: "I believe that it is up to the law to follow politics, and not for politics to follow the law." He questioned the necessity of human rights agreements, including the European Convention on Human Rights, claiming that they "prevent us from doing what is necessary". He received widespread criticism for his statements which were perceived as an attack against the rule of law, including from ÖVP members of the government, President Van der Bellen, various judges' and lawyers' associations, and president of the Jewish Community of Vienna Oskar Deutsch.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/austrian-interior-minister-accused-of-attacking-rule-of-law/a-47224454|title=Austrian interior minister accused of 'attacking rule of law'|date=24 January 2019|website=Deutsche Welle}}{{cite web|url=https://kurier.at/politik/inland/recht-hat-der-politik-zu-folgen-scharfe-kritik-an-kickl-sager/400386080|title=After Kickl statements: Van der Bellen against "shaking" the fundamental consensus|date=23 January 2019|language=de|website=Kurier}}{{cite web|url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000097089328/vom-primat-des-politischen|title=On the primacy of the political|date=27 January 2019|language=de|website=Der Standard}}

In early 2019, Kickl proposed to amend the constitution to allow preventive detention of asylum seekers who could be considered a threat to public safety. NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger refused to consider discussions for such an amendment, criticising detention based purely on potential danger as a feature of authoritarian regimes. Kickl also proposed a curfew for asylum seekers between 10 PM and 6 AM on a voluntary basis and commented: "If they don't want to do that, we will find a place for them where there is little incentive to hang around." He stated that the aim of a renewed tightening of asylum law was to make it virtually impossible to apply for asylum in Austria.{{cite web|url=https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article189419181/Signal-an-Asylbewerber-Aus-Betreuungszentren-werden-in-Oesterreich-Ausreisezentren.html|title="Signal" to asylum seekers: In Austria, care centers become departure centers|date=26 February 2019|language=de|website=Die Welt}} He also announced that reception centres for refugees would be renamed to "departure centres" from March, a move which social psychologist Klaus Ottomeyer described as "pure sadism".{{cite news|url=https://taz.de/Sozialpsychologe-ueber-Oesterreichs-Rechte/!5625368/|title=Social psychologist on the Austrian right: "It's always about degradation"|date=29 September 2019|language=de|website=Die Tageszeitung|last1=Waibel |first1=Ambros }}

As interior minister, Kickl pushed to expand and strengthen the Federal Police. The programme of the ÖVP–FPÖ government included plans to hire 4,100 new police officers.{{cite web|url=https://kurier.at/chronik/oesterreich/4000-neue-polizisten-woher-sollen-die-kommen/310.894.275|title=4,100 new police officers: where are they supposed to come from?|date=14 February 2018|language=de|website=Kurier}} In April 2018, the ministry announced that the special Vienna standby police unit would be permitted to use tasers, similar to other special units.{{cite web|url=https://wien.orf.at/v2/news/stories/2906251/|title=Standby police also receive tasers|date=11 April 2018|language=de|website=ORF}} In August, Kickl announced plans to establish standby units in all nine states.{{cite web|url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000085949665/bundeslaender-sollen-eigene-bereitschaftseinheiten-der-polizei-bekommen|title=Federal states to have standby police units|date=24 August 2018|language=de|website=Der Standard}} Further, a new border protection unit named Puma was established. The government also launched a pilot program to introduce mounted police, which was unsuccessful. Expenses for the project amounted to around €2.5 million, according to the Kurier.{{cite web|url=https://wien.orf.at/stories/3023841/|title="Mounted police": search for shelter for horses|date=28 November 2019|language=de|website=ORF}}

{{mainarticle|Ibiza affair}}

On 17 May 2019, a secretly-recorded video featuring FPÖ politicians Heinz-Christian Strache and Johann Gudenus was released to the press. In the video, both men appear receptive to proposals by a woman calling herself Alyona Makarova, posing as a niece of Russian businessman Igor Makarov, who suggests providing their party with positive news coverage in return for government contracts. Strache and Gudenus also hint at corrupt practices involving other wealthy donors to the FPÖ in Europe and elsewhere.{{Cite news|date=18 May 2019|title=Austrian government plunged into crisis over 'Ibiza affair'|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190518-austrian-government-plunged-crisis-over-ibiza-affair|work=France 24|agency=AFP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520053818/https://www.france24.com/en/20190518-austrian-government-plunged-crisis-over-ibiza-affair|archive-date=20 May 2019|url-status=live}} After the story broke, then-Vice-Chancellor Strache announced his resignation from all political offices.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48320983|title=Austria chancellor calls for snap election after corruption scandal|work=BBC News |date=18 May 2019 |access-date=18 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518210930/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48320983|archive-date=18 May 2019|url-status=live}}

According to Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, as general-secretary of the FPÖ, Kickl was primarily responsible for the party's financial management. He stated it would therefore be inappropriate for the interior ministry, which would conduct the investigation into the scandal, to be overseen by Kickl. For this reason, and because in Kurz's view he had not taken the severity of the situation seriously, he requested that President Alexander Van der Bellen dismiss Kickl as interior minister. He was dismissed on 22 May. Kickl thus became the first federal minister in the Second Republic to be removed from office against his will. In response, the remaining FPÖ ministers resigned and the party withdrew from the coalition, prompting Kurz to call a snap election.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/austria-sebastian-kurz-coalition-collapse-requests-dismissal-far-right-fpo-interior-minister/|title=Austria's Kurz requests dismissal of far-right interior minister|date=20 May 2019|website=Politico}}{{cite web|url=https://www.diepresse.com/5631502/kurz-schlagt-kickls-entlassung-vor-fpo-minister-verlassen-regierung|title=Kurz requests Kickl's dismissal, FPÖ ministers leave government|date=20 May 2019|language=de|website=Die Presse}}{{cite web|url=https://www.diepresse.com/5631356/kickl-entlassung-ware-eine-premiere-in-der-zweiten-republik|title=Kickl's dismissal would be a first in the Second Republic|date=20 May 2019|language=de|website=Die Presse}}

Kickl resumed his seat in the National Council on 24 May and became managing officer of the FPÖ parliamentary faction.{{cite web|url=https://www.noen.at/zwettl/kainz-muss-gehen-bezirk-zwettl-alois-kainz-fpoe-nationalrat-148470318|title=Kainz must go|date=24 May 2019|language=de|website=Noen.at}} He was re-elected in the September election. Kickl received over 75,000 personal votes, the second-highest number of any candidate behind only Sebastian Kurz, and more than twice as many as FPÖ top candidate and leader Norbert Hofer.{{cite web|url=https://www.diepresse.com/5703230/kickl-verdrangt-hofer-vom-ersten-fpo-listenplatz|title=Kickl displaces Hofer from the first place on the FPÖ list|date=9 October 2019|language=de|website=Die Presse}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bmi.gv.at/412/Nationalratswahlen/Nationalratswahl_2019/files/NRW19_Vorzugsstimmen_bundesweit_16102019.pdf#page=11|title=Preferential votes nationwide|access-date=1 December 2021|language=de|website=Ministry of the Interior}} He became chairman of the FPÖ faction after the election.{{cite web|url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/heute/oesterreichs-ex-innenminister-kickl-soll-fraktionschef-werden-100.html|title=Austria's ex-interior minister - Kickl is to become the leader of the FPÖ parliamentary group|date=1 October 2019|language=de|website=ZDF}}

Kickl and Hofer were considered unofficial "dual leaders" and often came into conflict. While Hofer sought to take a moderate line, Kickl positioned himself as "the true party leader" and pushed for hardline stances on a number of issues.{{cite web|url=https://www.trend.at/politik/rachebengel-herbert-kickl-11891601|title=Politics Backstage by Josef Votzi: Herbert Kickl, the blue angel of revenge|date=12 February 2021|language=de|website=Trend|access-date=1 December 2021|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201004833/https://www.trend.at/politik/rachebengel-herbert-kickl-11891601|url-status=dead}} He took a strict position against the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, spreading misinformation, opposing vaccination, and attending anti-lockdown protests.{{cite web|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/world/austrian-far-right-deputy-leader-attacks-israel-mass-experiment-1.512675|title=Austrian far right deputy leader attacks Israel "mass experiment"|date=8 March 2021|website=The Jewish Chronicle}}{{cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/01/15/youtube-removes-video-of-austrian-politician-over-covid-19-misinformation|title=YouTube removes video of Austrian MP over 'COVID-19 misinformation'|date=15 January 2021|website=Euronews}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/politik/oesterreich/2101483-Kickl-ausgeliefert.html|title=National Council: Kickl "extradited"|date=22 April 2021|language=de|website=Wiener Zeitung |last1=Online |first1=Wiener Zeitung }} He was criticised by Hofer over his refusal to wear a mask in the National Council.{{cite web|url=https://www.vienna.at/maskenpflicht-im-parlament-hofer-kritisiert-kickl/6950373|title=Mask requirement in parliament: Hofer criticizes Kickl|date=7 April 2021|language=de|website=Vienna Online}}

In May 2021, Kickl voiced his desire to run as lead candidate for the FPÖ in the next federal election.{{cite web|url=https://www.vol.at/herbert-kickl-gegen-norbert-hofer-in-der-fpoe/7000197|title=Herbert Kickl against Norbert Hofer in the FPÖ|date=25 May 2021|language=de|website=Vorarlberg Online}} On 1 June, Hofer announced his resignation as party chairman. Kickl was the sole candidate to succeed him.{{cite web|url=https://orf.at/stories/3215624/|title=Norbert Hofer resigns as FPÖ party leader|date=1 June 2021|language=de|website=ORF}} He was unanimously designated as chairman by the executive committee on 7 June{{cite web|url=https://kurier.at/politik/inland/welche-richtung-schlaegt-die-fpoe-unter-dem-baldigen-chef-kickl-ein/401404431|title=Herbert Kickl becomes - unanimously - designated FPÖ chairman|date=7 June 2021|language=de|website=Kurier}} and confirmed on 19 June with 88% support.{{Cite web |date=20 June 2021 |title=Austria: Herbert Kickl elected to lead far-right Freedom Party |url=https://www.dw.com/en/austria-herbert-kickl-elected-to-lead-far-right-freedom-party/a-57971160 |website=Deutsche Welle}}

In the 2024 Austrian legislative election held on 29 September, the FPÖ gained a plurality of seats in the National Council, the Party's support increased from 16% to 28.85% of the vote, placing first and achieving its best result in the party's history. However, no party in parliament agreed to form a coalition with it or agree to have Kickl become Chancellor, which led to President Alexander Van der Bellen asking outgoing chancellor Karl Nehammer of the ÖVP to form a new government on 22 October. In response, Kickl criticised Van der Bellen for breaking with the "tried and tested normal processes" of asking the leading party in the election to form a government and pledged that "Today is not the end of the story".{{cite news |title=Austria far right shunned for coalition despite winning election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx252kedeppo |work=BBC |date=22 October 2024}} Since then, the party has rapidly surged upwards, reaching 35-37% in different polls from December 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-21 |title=Umfrage-Schock: FPÖ bereits 16 % vor der ÖVP |url=https://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/politik/umfrage-schock-fpoe-bereits-16-vor-der-oevp/617856700 |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=www.oe24.at |language=de}}{{Cite web |last=Vogl |first=Erich |date=2024-12-21 |title=Blauer Höhenflug: Kickl kratzt am Kurz-Rekord |url=https://www.krone.at/3633305 |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Kronen |language=de}}

After Nehammer failed to form a government and resigned as chancellor in January 2025, Kickl received a mandate from Van der Bellen to form the next government on 6 January.{{cite web |title=Austrian far right gets mandate to try to lead a government for the first time since World War II |url=https://apnews.com/article/austria-new-government-freedom-far-right-kickl-99beae619f784e24bc1ebf382d2b9e0c |website=AP News |access-date=6 January 2025 |language=en |date=6 January 2025}} However, Kickl was also unable to form a government and returned his mandate on 12 February.{{Cite news |last=Schuetze |first=Christopher F. |date=2025-02-12 |title=Austrian Coalition Talks Collapse, Averting, for Now, a Far-Right Chancellor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/world/europe/austria-coalition-talks-far-right-chancellor.html |access-date=2025-02-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-12 |title=Austria's political crisis deepens as far right fails to form government |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78x3klx4rjo.amp |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}

{{Conservatism in Austria|Politicians}}

Kickl has been called a far-right politician.Multiple sources:

• {{Cite web |date=2024-09-29 |title=Austrian election: Kickl's far right 'opens new era' with unprecedented victory |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8rdygy5888o.amp |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=BBC News}}
• {{Cite web |last=Tanno |first=Sophie |date=2024-09-28 |title=Austria's far-right FPÖ party is the frontrunner in Sunday's election. How did it get here? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/28/europe/austria-election-far-right-fpo-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=CNN}}
• {{Cite news |last=Brady |first=Kate |date=2024-09-29 |title=Austrian far right set to win national election, in postwar first |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/09/29/austria-election-freedom-party-kickl/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |newspaper=Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}
• {{Cite news |last=Rothwell |first=James |date=2024-09-29 |title=Far-Right seeks path to power after leading in Austrian election |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/29/hard-right-on-course-victory-in-austrian-election/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}
• {{Cite web |title=How did the far right win in Austria? To understand, look to its global networks {{!}} Austria {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/30/austria-far-right-win-global-election-freedom-party |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=amp.theguardian.com|date=30 September 2024 }}
• {{Cite web |title=Victory in Austria is another step in far right's march across Europe {{!}} The far right {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/30/victory-austria-another-step-far-right-march-europe-eu |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=amp.theguardian.com|date=30 September 2024 }}

During government formation with the ÖVP in 2017, Kickl stated that his goal in politics was to "make society more fair". Society is fair, he said, when one can support one's family through gainful employment and live a self-determined life without "social dependence".

Kickl attracted attention in 2016 as the keynote speaker of the "Defenders of Europe" conference in Linz, which was organised and attended by various far-right, antisemitic, and racist groups and figures, including far-right media outlets such as Compact and both Austrian and German neo-Nazi groups.{{cite web |date=18 June 2021 |title=Herbert Kickl and right-wing extremism |url=https://www.derstandard.de/story/2000128225055/herbert-kickl-und-der-rechtsextremismus |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230607235054/https://www.derstandard.de/story/2000128225055/herbert-kickl-und-der-rechtsextremismus |archive-date=7 June 2023 |website=Der Standard |language=de}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/durchsuchungen-bei-verfassungsschutz-razzien-bei-oesterreichs-geheimdienst-waren-groesstenteils-illegal-1.4108589|title=Raids on Austria's secret service were mostly illegal|date=28 August 2018|language=de|website=Süddeutsche Zeitung}}{{cite web|url=https://fm4v3.orf.at/stories/1774093/index.html|title=The saviours of the Occident|date=24 October 2016|language=de|website=ORF}} The Wiener Zeitung described it as an attempt to blur the boundaries between the Neue Rechte, right-wing populism, and classical right-wing extremism.{{cite web|url=https://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/politik/oesterreich/853558_Ein-Kongress-der-ganz-normalen-Leute.html|title=A Congress of "Ordinary People"|date=1 November 2016|language=de|website=Wiener Zeitung |last1=Reisinger |first1=Werner }}

Kickl has since maintained ties with many of the same groups. In 2018, he opposed moves by the FPÖ to distance itself from the ethno-nationalist Identitarian movement; subsequently, during the 2019 election, Identitarian leader Martin Sellner bought advertisements encouraging preferential votes for Kickl. In June 2021, he described the Identitarian Movement as "an interesting project, worthy of support",{{Cite news |date=9 June 2021 |title=Identitäre für Kickl "unterstützenswertes" Projekt |url=https://www.derstandard.de/story/2000127277844/identitaere-fuer-kickl-unterstuetzenswertes-projekt |access-date=26 April 2024 |language=de-AT}} and in 2023 reiterated his opposition to a "red line" against them.{{cite web|url=https://kurier.at/politik/inland/identitaere-kickl-sommergespraech-schnedlitz-martin-sellner-abgrenzung-beschluss/402566162|title=The Identitarians: Why Kickl does not distance himself from the "NGO from the right"|date=22 August 2023|language=de|website=Kurier}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/09/28/in-austria-the-far-right-leader-herbert-kickl-is-campaigning-for-remigration_6727530_4.html|title=In Austria, the far-right leader, Herbert Kickl, is campaigning for 'remigration'|date=28 September 2024|website=Le Monde}} During the COVID-19 pandemic, he regularly attended and spoke at rallies alongside far-right activists, including neo-Nazi Gottfried Küssel.

During the 2024 federal campaign, Kickl styled himself as "Volkskanzler" (People's Chancellor), a term also used around 1933 by the Nazi Party in reference to Adolf Hitler. Kickl has denied the connection.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/far-right-party-nazi-roots-brink-power-austria-rcna172984|title=A far-right party with Nazi roots is on the brink of power in Austria|date=29 September 2024|website=NBC News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8rdygy5888o|title=Far right in Austria 'opens new era' with election victory|date=1 October 2024|website=BBC News}} He has also described the other political parties as "system parties", a term also associated with the Nazis.{{cite web|url=https://bridge.georgetown.edu/research/factsheet-herbert-kickl/|title=Factsheet: Herbert Kickl|date=15 October 2024|publisher=Georgetown University}}

Like most in his party, Kickl strongly opposes immigration and what he describes as "the abuse of the asylum system". He believes that Islam has no place in Europe, and that integration of Muslim immigrants cannot "solve the problem of Islamic countercultures". Rather, immigration must be severely limited.{{cite web|url=https://demokracija.eu/world/herbert-kickl-fpo-president-for-years-the-fpo-has-been-campaigning-to-finally-stop-immigration-to-europe/|title=Herbert Kickl, FPÖ President: 'For years, the FPÖ has been campaigning to finally stop immigration to Europe'|date=11 October 2021|website=Demokracija}} He has called for "a total ban on the hijab in public space". As interior minister, he advocated for rapid deportation of refugees who commit crimes. He also suggested that Austria should withdraw from human rights agreements if they "prevent us from doing what is necessary", expressing his belief that "it is up to the law to follow politics, and not for politics to follow the law." He stated that the aim of his refugee policy was to make it virtually impossible to apply for asylum in Austria.

Kickl is an advocate for remigration, which he and the FPÖ define as the deportation of immigrants and their descendants, including citizens, who refuse to integrate.{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/nl-be/nieuws/politiek/leidende-fp%C3%B6-zet-bij-oostenrijkse-verkiezingen-in-op-remigratie/ar-AA1pbj84|title=Leading FPÖ focuses on remigration in Austrian elections|date=21 August 2024|language=nl|website=MSN}}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240929-herbert-kickl-sharp-tongued-leader-of-austria-s-far-right|title=Herbert Kickl: sharp-tongued leader of Austria's far right|date=29 September 2024|website=France 24}} In June 2024 he called for the European Union to establish a "remigration commissioner".{{cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/migration/news/austria-far-right-calls-for-eu-remigration-commissioner/|title=Austria far right calls for EU 'remigration' commissioner|date=12 June 2024|website=Euractiv}} Kickl's 2024 federal election campaign focused heavily on opposing immigration and advocating remigration, in order to restore the "homogeneous" nature of the Austrian people; Kickl had been calling for a "Fortress Austria" since 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/26/this-is-the-normalisation-of-racism-apprehension-at-prospect-of-election-success-for-austrias-far-right|title='This is the normalisation of racism': apprehension at prospect of election success for Austria's far right|date=27 September 2024|website=The Guardian}}{{cite web|url=https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/politik/kanzlerpartei-landtagswahl-in-niederoesterreich-oevp-unter-druck-id65327316.html|title=Right on the rise in elections in Lower Austria|date=29 January 2023|language=de|website=Augsburger Allgemeine}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vienna.at/festung-oesterreich-kickl-sieht-gegenbegriff-zum-asylmagneten-oesterreich/7854298|title="Fortress Austria": Kickl sees "antonym to the asylum magnet Austria"|date=19 January 2023|language=de|website=Vienna.at}}

Kickl has praised the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán,Multiple sources:

• {{Cite web |last=Soos |first=Oliver |title=Österreich: Welche Folgen hätte Kickls Kanzlerschaft? |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/oesterreich-kickl-kanzler-oevp-100.html |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}
• {{Cite web |last=red |first=ORF at/Agenturen |date=2024-11-01 |title=Orban in Wien: Kritik an "Amtsanmaßung" Kickls |url=https://orf.at/stories/3374532/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=news.ORF.at |language=de}}
• {{Cite web |last=krone.at |date=2024-10-31 |title=Orbán & Kickl "wollen Macht Menschen zurückgeben" |url=https://www.krone.at/3577872 |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Kronen |language=de}}
• {{Cite web |last=red |first=ORF at/Agenturen |date=2024-06-30 |title=EU-Parlament: Kickl, Orban und Babis kündigen Fraktion an |url=https://orf.at/stories/3362178/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=news.ORF.at |language=de}}
• {{Cite web |date=2025-01-08 |title=In Austria's Kickl, the EU has its next Orbán |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/austria-herbert-kickl-russia-vladimir-putin-european-union-fpo-chancellor-ovp/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=POLITICO |language=en-GB}} President of the United States Donald Trump,Multiple sources:
• {{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title="Schlappe für das System": Kickl gratuliert Trump und kritisiert... |url=https://www.diepresse.com/19039012/schlappe-fuer-das-system-kickl-gratuliert-trump-und-kritisiert-vereinigte-wahlverlierer-in-oesterreich |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Die Presse |language=de}}
• {{Cite web |title=Bürger der USA haben heute Nacht Veränderung gewählt! |url=https://www.fpoe.at/artikel/buerger-der-usa-haben-heute-nacht-veraenderung-gewaehlt/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=www.fpoe.at |date=6 November 2024 |language=de}}
• {{Cite news |last=Beyer |first=Susanne |date=2025-01-10 |title=(S+) Meinung: Rechtspopulismus: Trump, Kickl, Weidel – und ihre versehentlichen Helfershelfer |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/rechtspopulismus-trump-kickl-weidel-und-ihre-versehentlichen-helfershelfer-a-b1c1ea26-959c-47ae-91cb-6434c26dbfb4 |access-date=2025-01-13 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}}{{Cite web |last=Bischof |first=17 01 2025 um 20:02 von Elisabeth Postl und Daniel |date=2025-01-17 |title=Orbán als Türöffner? Die FPÖ und Trumps Republikaner |url=https://www.diepresse.com/19265851/orban-als-tueroeffner-die-fpoe-und-trumps-republikaner?ref=home_aufmacher |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Die Presse |language=de}} and the leader of the Alternative for Germany, Alice Weidel.Multiple sources:
• {{Cite web |last=red |first=ORF at/Agenturen |date=2023-09-19 |title=Kickl und Weidel: Schulterschluss von FPÖ und AfD |url=https://orf.at/stories/3331697/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=news.ORF.at |language=de}}
• {{Cite web |date=2025-01-09 |title=FPÖ in Österreich: Wer die AfD verstehen will, muss nach Wien blicken |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/oesterreich-vorbild-regierungsbildung-fpoe-oevp-deutschland-kickl-weidel-li.3178768?reduced=true |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Süddeutsche.de |language=de}}
• {{Cite web |title=Österreich: Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Herbert Kickl und der Alice Weidel – Don Alphonso - WELT |url=https://www.welt.de/kultur/stuetzen-der-gesellschaft/plus255073628/Oesterreich-Der-aufhaltsame-Aufstieg-des-Herbert-Kickl-und-der-Alice-Weidel-Don-Alphonso.html |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=DIE WELT |language=de}}
• {{Cite web |title=Was AfD und FPÖ gemeinsam haben und wieso Berlin dennoch nicht Wien wird |url=https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/3000000252407/was-afd-und-fpoe-gemeinsam-haben-und-wieso-berlin-dennoch-nicht-wien-wird |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=DER STANDARD |language=de-AT}}

He supports his party's close relations with Vladimir Putin and United Russia.Multiple sources:

• {{Cite news |last=Baumann |first=Meret |date=2025-01-13 |title=Er ist gegen die EU und Putin-nah: Was bedeutet Kickl für die Sicherheit Österreichs? |url=https://www.nzz.ch/pro/gegen-die-eu-und-putin-nah-was-bedeutet-kickls-fpoe-fuer-oesterreichs-sicherheit-ld.1865452 |access-date=2025-01-13 |work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |language=de-CH |issn=0376-6829}}
• {{Cite news |last=Rössler |first=Wolfgang |date=2025-01-11 |title=Die Putinisierung der EU: Mit Kickl als Kanzler wächst die Macht des Kremls in Brüssel |url=https://www.nzz.ch/international/die-putinisierung-europas-an-einem-bundeskanzler-kickl-haette-vor-allem-der-kreml-seine-wahre-freude-ld.1865291 |access-date=2025-01-13 |work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |language=de-CH |issn=0376-6829}}
• {{Cite news |title=The Putinisation of central Europe |url=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/01/07/the-putinisation-of-central-europe |access-date=2025-01-13 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}
• {{Cite web |last=Vienna |first=Peter Conradi |date=2024-09-21 |title=Herbert Kickl, the hard-right Putin ally plotting 'Fortress Austria' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/herbert-kickl-the-hard-right-putin-ally-plotting-fortress-austria-zlms5g5ms |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}
• {{Cite news |last1=Crisp |first1=James |last2=Rothwell |first2=James |date=2024-09-30 |title=Why Putin is the real winner of Austria's election |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/30/why-putin-is-the-real-winner-of-austrias-election/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}
• {{Cite news |last=Rothwell |first=James |date=2024-09-28 |title=Meet the Putin-friendly populists on brink of power |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/09/28/meet-austrian-putin-friendly-populists-on-brink-of-power/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} As interior minister in 2018, Kickl sought cooperation with the Russian government on disaster responses and the fight against organised crime and terrorism. In a radio interview, Kickl rejected criticism of the Russian president's authoritarian policies.{{cite web|url=https://oe1.orf.at/programm/20181030/530741/Oe1-Morgenjournal|title=Ö1 Morning Journal|date=30 October 2018|language=de|website=ORF}} After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, he claimed that both Russia and NATO bore responsibility for the invasion, and that sanctions imposed against Russia constituted a violation of Austrian neutrality.{{cite web|url=https://www.krone.at/2634742|title=Ukraine conflict: Kickl against Russia sanctions|date=22 February 2022|language=de|website=Kronen Zeitung}}{{cite web|url=https://www.heute.at/s/putins-krieg-die-fpoe-geht-auf-die-usa-los-100192477|title=Putin's war – the FPÖ attacks the USA|date=25 February 2022|language=de|website=Heute}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kleinezeitung.at/politik/innenpolitik/6103552/FPOe-steht-allein_Kickl_Teilnahme-an-Sanktionen-gegen-Russland|title=FPÖ stands alone - Kickl: "Participation in sanctions against Russia is a violation of international law"|date=24 February 2022|language=de|website=Kleine Zeitung}} He also opposed plans for Austria to accept Ukrainian refugees.{{cite web|url=https://www.puls24.at/news/politik/fpoe-streit-um-ukraine-fluechtlinge-hofer-und-fpoe-laenderchefs-dafuer-kickl-sieht-andere-gefordert/258123|title=FPÖ dispute about refugee admission: Hofer and FPÖ state leaders for it, Kickl sees EU responsibility|date=1 March 2022|language=de|website=Puls24.at}} In March 2023, Kickl and the FPÖ walked out of parliament during an address by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/30/austria-far-right-lawmakers-walk-out-of-zelenskyy-speech|title=Austria's far-right lawmakers walk out of Zelenskyy speech|date=30 March 2023|website=Al Jazeera}} Throughout the year, he continued to call for the lifting of sanctions against Russia.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/hungaria-austria-herbert-kickl-watch-out-ukraine-here-comes-the-hungaro-austrian-empire/|title=Watch out Ukraine, here comes the Hungaro-Austrian Empire|date=6 June 2023|website=Politico}}

File:Wien - Anti-Corona-Demo, 11. Dezember 2021.JPG

Kickl has attended and spoken at protests against the Austrian COVID-19 response, which he characterises as "a game of power" by "those at the top [who] want to dominate us". He opposes the use of COVID-19 vaccine, describing the mass vaccination campaign in Israel as "health apartheid".{{cite web|url=https://www.nachrichten.at/panorama/chronik/corona-demos-zahlreiche-anzeigen-und-kickl-rede-bei-jesuitenwiese;art58,3362990|title=Corona demos - frenzied scenes and Kickl speech at Jesuitenwiese|date=6 March 2021|language=de|website=Nachrichten}} He refused to condemn actions which liken pandemic measures to the Holocaust, such as anti-vaccine protesters wearing Jewish badges, and denied that he was trivialising the crimes of the Nazi regime.{{cite web|url=https://orf.at/stories/3264368/|title=Kickl against oil embargo|date=8 May 2022|language=de|website=ORF}}

In April 2021, Kickl voiced his refusal to wear a mask in the National Council after a mandate was introduced. However, as the policy was part of the house rules rather than the parliamentary rules of procedure, there was no punishment for failing to observe it. Kickl said he was therefore not obliged to do so, as he is when shopping. He said he was "not one of those hypocrites who puts on the mask and then throws every security measure overboard".{{cite web|url=https://www.sn.at/politik/innenpolitik/hofer-fordert-parteifreund-kickl-auf-im-parlament-die-ffp2-maske-zu-tragen-102119515|title=Hofer calls on party colleague Kickl to wear the FFP2 mask in parliament|date=7 April 2021|language=de|website=Salzburger Nachrichten}}

Kickl is married to a lawyer and has a son.{{cite web|url=https://www.diepresse.com/503497/vilimsky-und-kickl-der-raue-und-der-schlaue|title=Vilimsky and Kickl: The rough and the clever|date=22 August 2009|language=de|website=Die Presse}}

{{reflist}}

{{Interior Ministers of Austria}}

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Category:1968 births

Category:COVID-19 misinformation

Category:Freedom Party of Austria politicians

Category:Ministers of the interior of Austria

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the 23rd National Council (Austria)

Category:Members of the 24th National Council (Austria)

Category:Members of the 25th National Council (Austria)

Category:Members of the 26th National Council (Austria)

Category:Members of the 27th National Council (Austria)

Category:Members of the 28th National Council (Austria)

Category:People from Villach