Overview

• About 850 delegates are set to vote in Salzburg on his return as party leader, with insiders expecting a result at least matching his 91% from 2022.
• A recent survey cited in coverage reports 42% would choose him directly as chancellor, ahead of Christian Stocker on 18%, Andreas Babler on 14% and Beate Meinl-Reisinger on 10%.
• Kickl promotes an 'Erneuerungsprojekt' he describes as shifting power toward the population and plans to launch a fall campaign after the congress.
• He signals a 'joker' move for the 2028 presidential contest without naming a candidate.
• The FPÖ outlines inquiry committees beginning with the Pilnacek case before examining COVID measures, and Kickl urges closer Europe–Russia ties, stronger Austrian neutrality and restraint on military responses.