Kikle accuses the government of abandoning the budget for the sake of Zelensky.
The leader of the FPÖ party, Herbert Kickl, on Saturday sharply criticized the coalition of the three parties ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS, in light of a potential visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Vienna on Monday, which coincides with the start of budget discussions in the National Council.
Kikle expressed his doubts that government leaders would leave the parliamentary session unexpectedly on Monday afternoon, as the budget discussion begins, to welcome Zelensky. He considered that the parliamentary agenda was changed for this purpose, accusing the triple alliance of planning to leave the "longest and most expensive government seat in history" shortly after, to evade their responsibilities regarding the austerity plan.
Kikl said that the government aims to spend more taxpayers' money in the form of "gifts and promises to Zelensky," at the expense of Austria's neutrality, which is "trampled underfoot as usual."
Zelensky is expected to visit Vienna for the first time since the outbreak of the war more than three years ago, although no official confirmation has been issued yet.
Media reports indicate that his visit schedule includes meetings with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP), and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS).