After a series of party expulsions, the FPÖ Graz lies in ruins. State party leader Mario Kunasek in the “Krone” conversation about the tedious reconstruction.
“Krone”: Mr. Kunasek, after club chairman Alexis Pascuttini and city councilor Claudia Schönbacher, municipal councilors Michael Winter and Astrid Schleicher were excluded from your party. How did that happen? Mario Kunasek: These people didn’t stick to resolutions that the party executive committee passed unanimously – in some cases even with the votes of those who have now been expelled. These are harsh consequences, I admit, but they were necessary. What decisions were they, for example? For example, that communication with the media has to go through our state party secretary, Stefan Hermann. That didn’t happen. If employees don’t follow instructions, then you can’t just watch as a boss. Is the post of the last remaining FPÖ municipal councilor shaking? No, Günter Wagner said clearly: He is FPÖ, he will remain FPÖ – and he is not in the Team Pascuttini. He remains our councillor, for which he deserves respect. But the three fired councilors continue to claim club status as Libertarians. How is that supposed to work?Yes, technically this club still exists. From a legal point of view, however, it will be interesting: the brands “Freiheitliche” and “FPÖ” are clearly ours. Sooner or later the rulers will also lose these names and all logos will be stripped from them. You are no longer part of our party – you will see that in your public image. Will the exclusions also be legally enforceable? I assume so. I don’t see much chance of a repeal. When will the reconstruction start after the days of chaos? After the financial scandal, I tried to calm things down. Unfortunately, this was only partially successful. The task now is to set up a proper party conference. Many members are unsettled – but in the end it’s about getting the FPÖ Graz back in shape. This will be a process that will take a long time, no question. Who is the party leader of the FPÖ Graz? The party is currently headed by Anton Kogler as state manager – just until a new chairman is elected at the city party conference. No, but I assume that the search for this person will be easier: Now a lot of the pressure is gone. Do you fear that turbulence like that in Graz could also affect the state party in the foreseeable future? No, that is and will remain a Graz matter . We know from the facts that this cause with the former city party leadership [rund um Mario Eustacchio, Anm.] has to do.
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