Kickl Slams Meinl-Reisinger Over Neutrality Debate
Austria’s long-cherished neutrality has once again become the stage for fierce political sparring, reported by “Heute”. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl erupted on Saturday, branding Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger a “security risk” for questioning whether neutrality alone can still shield the nation in a shifting world order.
The quarrel was ignited after former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev issued a warning of “fatal consequences” should Austria ever consider joining a military alliance. Meinl-Reisinger, in an interview with Die Welt, acknowledged the gravity of such threats but insisted neutrality cannot be treated as an impenetrable guarantee. “I am not marching into NATO with flags waving,” she said. “But we cannot assume that by doing no harm, we will suffer none. While there is no majority for accession, the debate itself can be valuable.”
Her words drew immediate fire from Kickl, who accused the minister of undermining both the constitution and Austria’s safety. “This is a dangerous assault on neutrality and on the security of our people,” he declared. “It is madness for a neutral country to drift along uncritically in the slipstream of EU bureaucrats, who have alienated every major power and put Europe’s peace at risk. Austria is not a branch office of Brussels, and Frau Meinl-Reisinger is not its manager.”
Kickl called instead for a “responsible foreign policy in the spirit of Bruno Kreisky,” rooted in balance and national interest. He ridiculed the minister’s public appearances as empty spectacle—“jogging while moralizing, parading in Ukrainian costume, and posting Instagram videos”—and warned against what he sees as her dream of folding Austria into a European superstate.
“Neutrality is our shield,” he concluded. “Whoever treats it as a burden has no place in government.”
