Lower Austria's FPÖ Deputy Governor Landbauer criticizes federal government as 'dilettantish'

Accusations against inflation policy

As another example of failed anti-inflation policy, Landbauer cited the fuel price brake. It was 'eine Verhöhnung der Bürger', and drivers had barely felt any effect. The FPÖ model, including the abolition of CO2 pricing, would have 'die Menschen wirklich entlastet', the deputy governor argued.

Landbauer also attacks the SPÖ directly. In the debate over the loss of eleven of the 32 emergency doctor locations in Lower Austria, the SPÖ is acting 'unseriös und verantwortungslos'. 'Alle wissen, dass die SPÖ ja bei den Beschlüssen in der Regierung dabei war und auch alle Unterlagen, alle Dokumente, alle Vereinbarungen dazu unterschrieben hat', he said, referring to the federal SPÖ under party chairman Andreas Babler. The Social Democrats were playing on people's fears.

Attack on the SPÖ and foreign policy demands

At the same time, the FPÖ politician is directing a foreign policy appeal to the federal government: 'sämtliche Zahlungen an die Ukraine' must be stopped. As a counter-concept to federal policy, Landbauer called for a comprehensive spending review. 'Welche Ausgaben nützen den Menschen und Betrieben' – that must be the central question, he said. He explicitly named subsidies, including NGO grants and 'Entwicklungshilfe-Milliarden', that should be put under scrutiny.

The deputy governor sees a bleak outlook for the federal government. 'Jeder Tag, den diese Bundesregierung weiter im Amt ist, ein schlechter Tag für Österreich', he said. The three-party coalition would 'spätestens beim nächsten Wahltermin abgestraft' be punished. In Austrian domestic politics, the next regular nationwide test of strength is seen as the first major trial by fire for the coalition.

Outlook on the 2028 state election

Looking ahead to the state election in Lower Austria, which is scheduled to take place in January 2028, Landbauer is confident. 'Ich habe das ganz eindeutig gesagt, dass ich spätestens mit 2023 dieses Projekt Niederösterreich begonnen habe, und das werde ich auch fortsetzen und zu Ende bringen', said the 40-year-old, referring to plans to move into federal politics. He rejects bringing the election date forward to autumn 2027, as had recently been reported in the media.

The working agreement with the coalition partner ÖVP at the state level has now been implemented to 80 percent. The double budget for 2027 and 2028 was most recently passed harmoniously by both parties. The FPÖ came in at 24.19 percent in Lower Austria in 2023 – a gain of 9.43 percentage points and second place behind the ÖVP. Landbauer expects further gains.

A government retreat in September is intended to define the priorities for the autumn – and with reference to this, concrete decisions 'mit einem Verweis auf eine Regierungsklausur im September noch nicht' have not yet been made. Landbauer stressed that he sees no reason to bring forward the state election date.