focus

Corona is the topic of the right-wing extremist FPÖ, which is likely to win the election in Austria. In the middle of the election campaign, it invites Bhakdi, an opponent of the measures.

Demonstration against Covid-19 measures: with Herbert Kickl (FPÖ), in January 2022 Photo: Michael Kristen/imago

Wien taz | “They knew that so many people would die from the vaccination. That’s the only reason they brought in so many foreigners,” says one visitor. But once Austria’s Chancellor is called Kickl, that will change, and then the “system” will be held accountable.

This Tuesday evening, in Vienna’s Lugner cinema, this is not a position for outsiders. It is what the FPÖ has been trumpeting for years in its bubble of party and alternative media. The far-right party is on the verge of winning the National Council election this Sunday, with just under 30 percent according to polls. The Ibiza scandal of 2019, which caused the collapse of the Kurz-Strache government, has long been forgotten. But not the pandemic.

Even though the FPÖ was the party that called for a hard lockdown in March 2020, before the black-green government. But no one is talking about that anymore either. The FPÖ soon recognized the opportunity, opposed almost all corona measures, and organized mass protests. Kickl himself also demonstrated and portrayed himself as a freedom fighter.

The anger at the government of the time, especially at Chancellor Karl Nehammer and the three successive Green health ministers, has remained. That becomes clear this evening. “Corona – We have not forgotten” is emblazoned on the screen in large letters, next to which are the flags of all Austrian federal states. The event is an unofficial highlight of the FPÖ election campaign. Party chairman Herbert Kickl is not there, but several members of parliament, FPÖ general secretary Michael Schnedlitz and star guest Sucharit Bhakdi are.

Standing ovations for Bhakdi

The German doctor and microbiologist with Thai roots has been retired since 2012 – and made a name for himself as an opponent of measures. Contrary to all evidence, he questioned the danger of the virus and claimed that the death rate was much lower than officially stated. He vehemently criticized vaccines.

The cinema is full to the last seat. “And the conspiracy theorists were right after all,” says the T-shirts of some visitors. The start is delayed, Bhakdi’s flight is delayed, but that doesn’t spoil the mood. Popcorn, nachos and drinks from the cinema bar are on the FPÖ’s bill – that goes down well. There is a book stand in front of the hall, and in addition to works such as “Lockdown Fates: The Hidden Suffering of Corona Politics”, there are also books on the topics of “Genderism” and “Wokeness” for sale.

When Bhakdi, who will later sell and sign books, enters the hall, several people jump up and applaud for minutes. Then Leo Lugner, son-in-law of the deceased master builder and FPÖ local politician, gives the go-ahead. In the front row he welcomes Martin Rutter and Hannes Brechja, two of the figureheads of the Vienna Corona protests with no qualms about right-wing extremism. “It was so important that you all took to the streets back then. That you showed the injustice that came from the federal government.”

This refers to the multiple lockdowns and, above all, the compulsory vaccination introduced in January 2022 – a result of Austria’s low vaccination rate. On several occasions, the government waited too long, partly for party tactical reasons, instead of reacting early. Then even tougher measures became necessary to prevent things from getting worse.

Election campaign for the FPÖ

The hastily introduced vaccination requirement is also part of this. It was never in force anyway before it was officially abolished again in July 2022. A success that the opponents of the measures are claiming as their own. After almost an hour, Bhakdi comes to the podium. Again thunderous applause. Then he tells how he learned what humanity means as a child. But the initially positive story quickly turns around.

“Where violence is used, humanity disappears. Where and when in the history of humanity has so much violence – physical, mental, verbal – been used?” asks Bhakdi. Two sentences later, he then moves on to the “RKI files”, i.e. the protocols of the crisis team at the Robert Koch Institute.

The decision-makers – he explicitly addresses the German federal government and the European Commission – have carried out the “biggest human experiment in human history,” says Bhakdi. And “against their better judgment.” The “system media” willingly went along with it. This tone runs through the entire evening. And one message is also clear in Bhakdi’s speech: Only a vote for the FPÖ can ensure that the last few years are dealt with. “I promise you, if there is no system change now, it will start again soon: corona tests, mandatory masks, vaccinations,” a later speaker will say.

A counterpole for all

“Amen,” an older gentleman in the cinema murmurs several times during the lectures. He has found peace in his faith and in the church, “otherwise I would not have survived all of this.” What does he mean by that? The loneliness during the pandemic. The problems in the health system. The despair when you no longer know what to believe, as he says.

He is perhaps symptomatic of how the FPÖ has become so popular. If it triumphs on Sunday – and all the polls suggest it will – then it will not be primarily because of its core issue, migration. But because of the lack of trust in politics, state institutions and the media. The once monothematic party offered a counterpole to all those who felt betrayed and abandoned. This gives the FPÖ a unique selling point.

Many of Kickl’s supporters adore him, even glorify him, similar to what we recently saw with Sebastian Kurz. Austria’s youngest foreign minister and chancellor led the ÖVP to great heights. Before it fell to its lowest point.