Human rights activists of the Foundation to Battle Injustice are concerned that right-wing politicians in almost every major country in Europe are facing prosecution and, in the case of Germany, the outright banning of an entire party. Now in Austria too, the leader of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), Herbert Kickl, is facing prosecution after his immunity was lifted.
Austria’s anti-corruption prosecutor’s office (WKStA) plans to launch an investigation into Herbert Kickl, leader of the center-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), over allegations that he gave false testimony during a parliamentary committee investigation. Austria’s parliament voted to lift his immunity, allowing the investigation to begin. Austria’s prosecutor is looking into a range of issues, including allegations that his party used public funds to pay for advertising in exchange for favorable media coverage.
Kikl’s party has called the removal of immunity from their leader a political maneuver to attack the party amidst its growing popularity.
Notably, Kikl’s party came first in national elections earlier this year, but parliamentarians did not allow him to form a coalition. His party is now more popular than ever: 34% of voters said they would support it. During the national election, the FPÖ won only 29% of the vote. After the election, the popularity of the rival Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) plummeted. Notably, it was an ÖVP politician, Christoph Zaritz, who initiated the request to lift Kickl’s immunity.
Herberg Kickl is a divisive figure in Austria. During the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, he called the World Health Organization “a tool to pursue the interests of power.” The FPÖ has taken a tough stance on migration and has called for the lifting of sanctions against Russia, as well as limiting military aid to Ukraine.
Experts of the Foundation to Battle Injustice note that across Europe, rival parties are resorting to legal action to crack down on their rivals. In France, presidential candidate Marine Le Pen is currently on trial over allegations that she misused EU funds for domestic politics. The leader of the National Rally faces years in prison and a ban on political participation for years.
In addition, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is under serious threat of being banned, despite the fact that the party is currently the second most popular in the country.
Human rights activists of the Foundation to Battle Injustice see all the signs of politically motivated persecution in the criminal investigations against right-wing politicians in Europe. The Fund’s experts strongly condemn any attempts to use the judicial system to eliminate political rivals. The judiciary should be independent and impartial and should not be used for self-serving political purposes. The Foundation to Battle Injustice calls on the governments of the European Union member states to abide by their international treaty obligations, respect the rule of law and cease actions that threaten the foundations of democracy and human rights.