Freedom Party in Carinthia
Encyclopedia
The Freedomites in Carinthia (German
: Die Freiheitlichen in Kärnten, FPK, alternative English translation: Freedom Party in Carinthia) is a far right
political party in Austria, operating in the federal state
of Carinthia
. Historically, it has been shaped by Jörg Haider
. Since 2010 it has cooperated with the Freedom Party of Austria
on the national level.
(FPÖ). Jörg Haider
, chairman of that branch since 1983, was elected federal FPÖ chairman in 1986. Under a previously introduced restructuring plan, Haider transformed the Carinthian branch into The Freedomites in Carinthia under the federal umbrella of the FPÖ. Haider made his home state of Carinthia
a stronghold of the party and twice served as state governor
(1989–1991 and 1999–2008).
In 2000, he also led the party into participation in the federal government of Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel
, but due the controversies surrounding his persona, had to remove himself from federal politics, concentrating on state politics. (Haider had already resigned as chairman of the state party in autumn 1998.) However, even as a "common party member" he remained the decivisive figure of the party, causing the resignation of the then-party leadership in 2002.
(BZÖ). All the FPÖ government ministers and most of its deputies in the federal parliament joined the new party, continuing the coalition until the 2006 elections
.
The statute of the new party gave its Carinthian branch (running under the name The Freedomites in Carinthia — BZÖ List Jörg Haider) considerable autonomy. The party was characterised by the discrepancy between Carinthia and the other states of Austria: while the Carinthian branch of the FPÖ almost entirely sided with Haider and joined the BZÖ, the other branches stayed with the old FPÖ (though Tyrol and Voralberg played with the idea of switching to BZÖ). In Carinthia, the Freedomites-BZÖ under Haider could simply supplant the FPÖ as the strongest party in the state (winning subsequent elections), but the BZÖ failed to overtake the FPÖ both in other state elections as well as in the federal elections of 2006
.
Jörg Haider, as chairman of the strongest branch within the BZÖ and as governor of Carinthia, remained the chief politician, even after giving up the federal chair in June 2006. He returned to that position in August 2008 but died in a car accident in October.
immediately succeeded as governor of Carinthia (and was re-elected following state elections in March 2009), Uwe Scheuch as chairman of the state party in November 2008, and Josef Bucher
as federal BZÖ chairman in April 2009.
In December 2009, the Carinthian branch of the BZÖ, led by Scheuch and Dörfler broke off from the national party organisation, citing Bucher's economic liberalism
. In a press conference together with FPÖ chairman Heinz-Christian Strache
, Scheuch announced that his party would henceforth put their support behind the FPÖ rather than the BZÖ. Scheuch emphasised that the Freedomites in Carinthia — Freedom Party of Carinthia (FPK) would remain a distinct party, citing the relationship of the German CDU
and the Bavarian CSU
as an example.
The BZÖ leadership disputed the legality of the split and, at the FPK party convention on 16 January 2010, tried to force a referendum on the party's future alignment. However, Scheuch was reelected by 90% of the delegates and The re-alignment with the FPÖ received unanimous support. On 30 January, the BZÖ founded their own Carinthian branch, with federal chairman Bucher also functioning as state chairman.
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
: Die Freiheitlichen in Kärnten, FPK, alternative English translation: Freedom Party in Carinthia) is a far right
Far right
Far-right, extreme right, hard right, radical right, and ultra-right are terms used to discuss the qualitative or quantitative position a group or person occupies within right-wing politics. Far-right politics may involve anti-immigration and anti-integration stances towards groups that are...
political party in Austria, operating in the federal state
States of Austria
Austria is a federal republic made up of nine states, known in German as Länder . Since Land is also the German word for a country, the term Bundesländer is often used instead to avoid ambiguity. The Constitution of Austria uses both terms...
of Carinthia
Carinthia (state)
Carinthia is the southernmost Austrian state or Land. Situated within the Eastern Alps it is chiefly noted for its mountains and lakes.The main language is German. Its regional dialects belong to the Southern Austro-Bavarian group...
. Historically, it has been shaped by Jörg Haider
Jörg Haider
Jörg Haider was an Austrian politician. He was Governor of Carinthia on two occasions, the long-time leader of the Austrian Freedom Party and later Chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Austria , a breakaway party from the FPÖ.Haider was controversial within Austria and abroad for comments...
. Since 2010 it has cooperated with the Freedom Party of Austria
Freedom Party of Austria
The Freedom Party of Austria is a political party in Austria. Ideologically, the party is a direct descendant of the German national liberal camp, which dates back to the 1848 revolutions. The FPÖ itself was founded in 1956 as the successor to the short-lived Federation of Independents , which had...
on the national level.
FPÖ beginnings
The party's origins lie with the Carinthia branch of the Freedom Party of AustriaFreedom Party of Austria
The Freedom Party of Austria is a political party in Austria. Ideologically, the party is a direct descendant of the German national liberal camp, which dates back to the 1848 revolutions. The FPÖ itself was founded in 1956 as the successor to the short-lived Federation of Independents , which had...
(FPÖ). Jörg Haider
Jörg Haider
Jörg Haider was an Austrian politician. He was Governor of Carinthia on two occasions, the long-time leader of the Austrian Freedom Party and later Chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Austria , a breakaway party from the FPÖ.Haider was controversial within Austria and abroad for comments...
, chairman of that branch since 1983, was elected federal FPÖ chairman in 1986. Under a previously introduced restructuring plan, Haider transformed the Carinthian branch into The Freedomites in Carinthia under the federal umbrella of the FPÖ. Haider made his home state of Carinthia
Carinthia (state)
Carinthia is the southernmost Austrian state or Land. Situated within the Eastern Alps it is chiefly noted for its mountains and lakes.The main language is German. Its regional dialects belong to the Southern Austro-Bavarian group...
a stronghold of the party and twice served as state governor
Landeshauptmann
Landeshauptmann is a former German gubernatorial title equivalent to that of a governor of a province or a state....
(1989–1991 and 1999–2008).
In 2000, he also led the party into participation in the federal government of Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel
Wolfgang Schüssel
Wolfgang Schüssel is an Austrian People's Party politician. He was Chancellor of Austria for two consecutive terms from February 2000 to January 2007...
, but due the controversies surrounding his persona, had to remove himself from federal politics, concentrating on state politics. (Haider had already resigned as chairman of the state party in autumn 1998.) However, even as a "common party member" he remained the decivisive figure of the party, causing the resignation of the then-party leadership in 2002.
BZÖ
After a series of electoral defeats, Haider in 2005 suggested re-inventing, rejuvenating the FPÖ and when this proved to be controversial, moved to found a new party, the Alliance for the Future of AustriaAlliance for the Future of Austria
The Alliance for the Future of Austria , abbreviated to BZÖ, is a conservative liberal political party in Austria. The party has sixteen seats in the National Council....
(BZÖ). All the FPÖ government ministers and most of its deputies in the federal parliament joined the new party, continuing the coalition until the 2006 elections
Austrian legislative election, 2006
The 2006 general election for the National Council in Austria was held on 1 October 2006.Following the Austrian legislative election, 1999, the Austrian People's Party had formed a coalition government with the Austrian Freedom Party , and later the Alliance for the Future of Austria .As a result...
.
The statute of the new party gave its Carinthian branch (running under the name The Freedomites in Carinthia — BZÖ List Jörg Haider) considerable autonomy. The party was characterised by the discrepancy between Carinthia and the other states of Austria: while the Carinthian branch of the FPÖ almost entirely sided with Haider and joined the BZÖ, the other branches stayed with the old FPÖ (though Tyrol and Voralberg played with the idea of switching to BZÖ). In Carinthia, the Freedomites-BZÖ under Haider could simply supplant the FPÖ as the strongest party in the state (winning subsequent elections), but the BZÖ failed to overtake the FPÖ both in other state elections as well as in the federal elections of 2006
Austrian legislative election, 2006
The 2006 general election for the National Council in Austria was held on 1 October 2006.Following the Austrian legislative election, 1999, the Austrian People's Party had formed a coalition government with the Austrian Freedom Party , and later the Alliance for the Future of Austria .As a result...
.
Jörg Haider, as chairman of the strongest branch within the BZÖ and as governor of Carinthia, remained the chief politician, even after giving up the federal chair in June 2006. He returned to that position in August 2008 but died in a car accident in October.
Haider succession and party split
Haider's death vacated three positions: Gerhard DörflerGerhard Dörfler
Gerhard Dörfler is an Austrian politician, who is currently serving as Governor of Carinthia from October 27, 2008 , following Governor Jörg Haider's sudden death in a car accident....
immediately succeeded as governor of Carinthia (and was re-elected following state elections in March 2009), Uwe Scheuch as chairman of the state party in November 2008, and Josef Bucher
Josef Bucher
Josef Bucher is an Austrian politician and is the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Austria . He is also a Member of Parliament for the party...
as federal BZÖ chairman in April 2009.
In December 2009, the Carinthian branch of the BZÖ, led by Scheuch and Dörfler broke off from the national party organisation, citing Bucher's economic liberalism
Economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is the ideological belief in giving all people economic freedom, and as such granting people with more basis to control their own lives and make their own mistakes. It is an economic philosophy that supports and promotes individual liberty and choice in economic matters and...
. In a press conference together with FPÖ chairman Heinz-Christian Strache
Heinz-Christian Strache
Heinz-Christian Strache is an Austrian politician, member of parliament, former member of the Vienna city council and political leader of the Freedom Party of Austria . He is a right-wing politician and an efficient populist...
, Scheuch announced that his party would henceforth put their support behind the FPÖ rather than the BZÖ. Scheuch emphasised that the Freedomites in Carinthia — Freedom Party of Carinthia (FPK) would remain a distinct party, citing the relationship of the German CDU
Christian Democratic Union (Germany)
The Christian Democratic Union of Germany is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It is regarded as on the centre-right of the German political spectrum...
and the Bavarian CSU
Christian Social Union of Bavaria
The Christian Social Union in Bavaria is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It operates only in the state of Bavaria, while its sister party, the Christian Democratic Union , operates in the other 15 states of Germany...
as an example.
The BZÖ leadership disputed the legality of the split and, at the FPK party convention on 16 January 2010, tried to force a referendum on the party's future alignment. However, Scheuch was reelected by 90% of the delegates and The re-alignment with the FPÖ received unanimous support. On 30 January, the BZÖ founded their own Carinthian branch, with federal chairman Bucher also functioning as state chairman.
List of chairmen
- Jörg HaiderJörg HaiderJörg Haider was an Austrian politician. He was Governor of Carinthia on two occasions, the long-time leader of the Austrian Freedom Party and later Chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Austria , a breakaway party from the FPÖ.Haider was controversial within Austria and abroad for comments...
(1983/1986 - Autumn 1998) - Jörg Freunschlag (Autumn 1998 - November 2001)
- Martin Strutz (November 2001 - April 2005)
- Jörg HaiderJörg HaiderJörg Haider was an Austrian politician. He was Governor of Carinthia on two occasions, the long-time leader of the Austrian Freedom Party and later Chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Austria , a breakaway party from the FPÖ.Haider was controversial within Austria and abroad for comments...
(25 November 2005 - 11 October 2008) - Uwe Scheuch (since 15 November 2008)