FPÖ's 70th Anniversary Celebration Draws Sharp Criticism from SPÖ, ÖVP, and Greens

Ceremonial Act at the Hofburg: Kickl Stages Himself as a Visionary

At the ceremonial act in the Hofburg, FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl staged himself as a defender of the country. He described the FPÖ as the "greatest future project of the country" and said: "Democracy is not endangered by strengthened right-wing parties, but by the former major parties." At the same time, Kickl spoke of the FPÖ as "the only hope for millions of people in this country" and accused the former major parties of harboring "an ever-greater distrust of their own people." The state must serve the people, not be their "guardian or fiscal exploiter."

Public Festival at Stephansplatz: Schlager, Free Beer, and the Right-Wing Scene

Following the ceremonial act, the so-called public festival took place at Stephansplatz. Accompanied by Schlager music and live acts, Roberto Blanco performed among others. 60,000 liters of free beer were available. Some visitors wore promotional items bearing the inscription "FPÖ. Klare Verhältnisse. Alles für Österreich." Among the visitors, according to observations by DER STANDARD, were young skinheads who could be identified as neo-Nazis and wore brand clothing such as Thor Steinar belts and Lonsdale shirts. In interviews with the newspaper, one visitor said: "Ich bin gern rechtsradikal, wenn es um meine Familie geht."

On the same evening, the band Böhse Onkelz, which is popular in the right-wing scene, performed at the Ernst Happel Stadium. Kickl used the stage at Stephansplatz to attack the EU and the so-called system parties.

ÖVP Attack: Marchetti Quotes Roberto Blanco

Already on Sunday, the political competition reacted with sharp criticism. ÖVP General Secretary Nico Marchetti attacked the FPÖ even before the SPÖ and Greens. He recalled the Schlager motto "Samba sí, Arbeit no" and said: "Die FPÖ hat sich in ihrer Arbeitsmoral offenbar Anleihe bei Roberto Blancos Lied ‚Samba sí, Arbeit no' genommen. Ein treffenderes Bild für die freiheitliche Oppositionsbilanz als der Titel dieses Blanco-Liedes kann man sich nicht wünschen." Marchetti added: "Denn im Gegensatz zur FPÖ feiern die Menschen, von denen das Lied handelt, erst nach getaner Arbeit. Die FPÖ feiert stattdessen nach getaner Arbeitsverweigerung."

Marchetti added that it was "not without a certain comedic quality" that the FPÖ had booked Roberto Blanco for its anniversary. Regarding Kickl's refusal to govern, he said: "Herbert Kickl hat mit seiner Weigerung, Verantwortung für dieses Land zu übernehmen, gezeigt, dass er wesentlich lieber über politische Arbeit redet, als sie tatsächlich in Regierungsverantwortung zu verrichten." With regard to the FPÖ's opposition role, Marchetti said that the "Kickl-FPÖ" would rather get comfortable on the opposition bench than contribute constructively – "frei nach dem Prinzip ‚Samba si, Arbeit no'." Concluding, Marchetti emphasized: "Taten sprechen mehr als Worte."

SPÖ Criticism: Seltenheim Speaks of Contradiction to Constitutional Rhetoric

SPÖ federal executive Klaus Seltenheim criticized the celebrations the following day in a press release. He said that while party leader Herbert Kickl stages himself and the FPÖ as the "true defenders of the constitution," he celebrates together with Europe's far-right parties. Seltenheim explicitly named the AfD with Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, as well as Viktor Orbán, in this context.

Green Warning: Gewessler Sees Democracy in Danger

The Greens also exercised sharp criticism. Party chairwoman Leonore Gewessler accused Kickl of wanting to tear down the foundations of liberal democracy. She also declared that Kickl is applauded by Viktor Orbán and Geert Wilders, "die offen demokratische Institutionen angriffen und europäische Zusammenarbeit torpedierten."

Sociologist and cultural and migration researcher Judith Kohlenberger analyzed the FPÖ's strategy in conversation with DER STANDARD. Culture is not static, but in constant change. Even cultural assets that are considered typically Austrian today, such as the Wiener Schnitzel, emerged through historical exchange and immigration. The FPÖ uses the concept of culture strategically for division. Its success works primarily through emotions, because the party understands how to pick up on the current fears and concerns of a large part of the population. Other parties have simply missed this task.

Cultural Debate: Kohlenberger Analyzes the FPÖ Strategy

At the public festival, DER STANDARD spoke with visitors about why they are celebrating the FPÖ and what "Austrian culture" means to them personally.

It is remarkable that representatives of the political establishment parties stayed away from the anniversary celebration. The international guest list underscored the FPÖ's strategic anchoring in the European right-wing camp.

The STANDARD article is dated 21.06.26 and was written by Antonia Titze and Thomas Dissauer. It paints the picture of a party that celebrated its 70th birthday as a staging of a controversial political self-understanding.

The reactions of the three opposition parties are united in that they each criticize Kickl's refusal of governmental responsibility, his closeness to European far-right forces, and the instrumental use of cultural issues. Marchetti chose the form of polemical allusion to Roberto Blanco's Schlager, Seltenheim the official party communication, and Gewessler the fundamental democratic-theoretical warning.