By 
BILD: Mister Chancellor, in Germany, too, many people are shocked by the video of your former vice chancellor, Heinz-Christian Strache, that was secretly filmed on Ibiza. Since when have you known about it?
Sebastian Kurz: “Towards the end of the week, I learned that an alleged article about a scandal concerning the vice chancellor was going to be published in Germany. The video itself I didn’t see until 6pm, like everybody else.”
What was your reaction?
Kurz: “I was shocked and appalled by the statements made in the video and by the ideas about the abuse of power that were uttered. The insults and attacks against me were the least of all problems.”
In the US, you would probably go to jail for 25 years for such statements.
Kurz: “They might also be legally relevant in our country. The investigations will show what will happen next.
I am also disgusted by such statements because my political approach is entirely different, and I see my task in serving the country.
What can be seen in this video is appalling: it’s about the abuse of power, and that is serious and problematic.
It’s about open offers of corruption. And attacks against the free press. This is also the reason why I so resolutely took quick appropriate steps.”
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Has Strache shown his true face in the video?
Kurz: “It was absolutely necessary that he immediately took appropriate steps and resigned. But that’s not enough in order to get back to business as usual. That’s why we need a re-election. The population has a right to a decision about the future direction of the country. I am satisfied with the substance of our work: we have ended the policy of debts, we have reduced taxes, and we have implemented reforms. People are highly satisfied with our work. That’s why I say: I cannot implement the changes for the country with politicians who have such an understanding of their office and show no decency.”
In the coalition, you frequently mentioned your good cooperation with Strache. The video, however, shows someone who is willing to sell Austria for his personal profit. How could you trust this man, who was already conspicuous in the past?
Kurz: “In order to implement our substantive work and changes, I had to be willing to tolerate and put up with a lot. There was the rat poem and the closeness to radical right-wing groups and the many ‘isolated incidents’. That was often difficult.
The FPÖ did take appropriate action for isolated cases, but the red line has clearly been crossed with the Ibiza video. My view on this is no different from that of almost all Austrians.”
In the video, Strache also talks about you personally – for which he has apologized. Do you accept the apology?”
Kurz: “As I said, the insults and insinuations against me are the least of all problems. The problem is the statements with respect to an abuse of power, the freedom of the media, and the flirting with corruption.”
The insinuations do not hurt you?
Kurz: “I also witnessed Heinz-Christian Strache in the election campaign in 2017. He also said questionable things then.
But everything else he says in the video is a major scandal; it means the end of his political work and will probably also have legal consequences.”
The video was filmed in secret. What do you know about who’s behind it?
Kurz: “One thing is clear: even though the methods are questionable, the content – the ideas on the abuse of power – remain the big scandal.
Concerning the methods, this strongly reminds me of Tal Silberstein, the campaign aide of the SPÖ in 2017. He used similar methods all across the world.”
Could it also have been a foreign intelligence service?
Kurz: “We are a small country, why would an intelligence service do this? I think it’s conceivable that Silberstein is behind it. It remains to be seen whether this can be proven. But, again, the highly problematic content is much more important.”
One and a half years ago, when you entered the coalition, many people warned you. Why did you want to govern with these right-wing nutcases at all?
Kurz: “You cannot gauge another person in advance. Two years ago, I stepped up in order to implement change in our country. After years of stagnation due to the grand coalition, there was only one option for a coalition – with the FPÖ. The (SPÖ? Tippfehler im Original) had already ruled out a cooperation with us prior to the election and wanted to form a coalition with the FPÖ without me. So there were no other options for us. It was important for me that we incorporate a pro-European course in the government agenda and that any flirting with an Auxit is categorically ruled out. It offered the opportunity to change the country in a positive way. We have ended the policy of debts, unemployment has consistently gone down, the economy is doing well, and illegal migration was successfully fought. I will resolutely continue this course with my party and therefore ask for support.”
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In Germany, you were harshly attacked by Social Democrat politicians, in particular, and you were attacked for your coalition with the right-wingers.
Kurz: “My contact person is the German chancellor. With respect to the Social Democrats, this is, in part, a very hypocritical approach. The first chancellor who cooperated with the FPÖ was Bruno Kreisky, a Social Democrat. In Burgenland, in other cities and regions of Austria, there are coalitions between SPÖ and FPÖ. I’ve therefore always had the impression that the Social Democrats always criticized the coalition with the FPÖ if they didn’t head it themselves. When they were involved themselves, it was never a problem. So when there’s criticism from Germany, I wonder why it is never directed at political colleagues in the Social Democratic Party.”
There have been Nazi scandals again and again since 2017, like for instance the “rat poem”. Why did it take you until now to say: enough is enough?
Kurz: “I always spoke out when there were incidents and demanded consequences. These consequences did happen. I admit that it was often not easy for me to bear and tolerate this. Unfortunately, this was necessary in order to be able to continue the substantial work. I always clearly said that there are clear red lines. Many of these things were very close to my red line. But these incidents now are a clear transgression.”
On Saturday, did you initially want to continue the coalition?
Kurz: “When I saw the video, there were talks with the president and the coalition partner immediately. It is the responsibility of a politician to act prudently, even in such a situation. However, the video spoke for itself. And in the talks, I had the impression – which is much more important – that there is no awareness at all within the FPÖ concerning the dimension of the scandal. There was also no willingness for a complete and independent investigation. So there was no other option for me. And I immediately informed the president that I will call for a re-election.”
Is it true that you would have continued the coalition if the FPÖ would have sacrificed Kickl as the minister of the interior?
Kurz: “It’s not true. But it is true that the guarantee of an independent investigation would have been the basic requirement for talking about a continuation of the cooperation, in the first place. But since there wasn’t even an understanding for this, I didn’t think it made much sense to keep thinking about it.”
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel – who has a highly reserved relationship with you – counted as a harsh critic of an FPÖ coalition for the very beginning. Was Merkel right, after all?
Kurz: “Chancellor Merkel and I kept strongly disagreeing with respect to the migration issue. Apart from that, we cooperated very professionally and well in many other areas. Concerning the coalition choice – when I look at the substantial work, I can only say that, given the amount of progress in Austria over the past two years in terms of reforms and changes in the country, I’d like to see anyone beat that. And I think that people are very happy that the economy is doing well, much better than in many other countries; that we no longer make debts; that unemployment is going down; that Austria as a location has become more attractive; that big companies are investing here. That we are the first country in Europe that is comprehensively expanding 5G, that we are back on the road to success after years of stagnation. These incidents are absolutely unacceptable. But I will certainly not leave my path of reforms.
Does the Ibiza scandal harm Austria’s reputation?
Kurz: “Yes. I am convinced that the reputation of our politics and our country have been harmed by these statements. But, most of all, the FPÖ has destroyed itself this way.”
In the video, companies are mentioned that have donated not only to the FPÖ, but also ÖVP. Will this be an issue in the election campaign?
Kurz: “Concerning us: we are a party that counts on complete transparency. Concerning the FPÖ, I cannot give you an answer. The video indicates that there were dubious goings-on, but this must be investigated and decided by courts.”
Will Strache go to prison?
Kurz: “That’s not my decision.”
How do you want to convince people to vote for you after the chaos in your coalition?
Kurz: “I have a clear aim: to do good work for the country and the people. Following the election, I implemented exactly what I had promised in the campaign. People can see for themselves what the FPÖ is about. They have a clear idea of my motivation – to serve the people. Anyone who wants to support this course can do thus. It is important that we become much stronger in the next election in order to continue the changes. What Austria now needs are clear conditions. If you still want my course without isolated cases and scandals, you can support us and vote for us. This is what I will advocate.”
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