Language, Key Terms, Analogies
Herbert Kickl begins the interview with a focus on economic issues, frequently using the key term “performance contributors” throughout the discussion. Emotionally charged and critical terms like “the system,” “the Corona regime,” and “the single party”—referring to the ÖVP and SPÖ—are a recurring feature of his language. At times, he randomly introduces inflammatory phrases such as “gender madness” and “cancel culture,” as if they were missing from the FPÖ’s bingo card of buzzwords.
Kickl’s language is polished, faultless standard German. His tone remains calm, even during sharp verbal attacks, and he maintains a composed demeanor throughout.
Facial Expressions, Gestures, Posture
One of the most striking aspects of Kickl’s performance is his intense, almost piercing eye contact with the moderator, creating a palpable sense of pressure. His body language reinforces this effect, as he leans significantly forward throughout the interview. His hands rest on the table, occasionally accompanying his demands with sweeping gestures. As his tone becomes more forceful, his body moves even closer toward moderator Martin Thür.
Explicitly Mentioned Target Groups
In the interview, Kickl frequently references the general public and specifically highlights “hardworking and diligent people” as those he claims to represent through his politics.
Responses to Critical Questions
At times, it was unclear who was responsible for asking questions and who was meant to answer them. Martin Thür had to remind his guest of this dynamic on several occasions. Kickl repeatedly tried to evade questions by countering with his own or framing verbal attacks as inquiries. On six occasions, Kickl accused the ORF moderator of failing to uphold journalistic standards, questioning the credibility of the moderator’s work while simultaneously deflecting from the topic at hand.
In instances where his responses became excessively long-winded, Kickl resisted interruptions by invoking the old saying: “The viewers have a right to hear the full answer.”
Unexpectedly, when asked about Donald Trump toward the end of the interview, Kickl responded with, “It’s none of my business who becomes president in America.”
How Often Did the Word “Austria” Appear?
By the end of the interview, we counted four mentions of the word “Austria.”
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