A recent meeting between Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Herbert Kickl of the FPÖ brings to light the sharp insults exchanged among politicians and raises questions about potential coalitions. Political scientist Peter Filzmaier comments on the current political atmosphere, where mutual interests in power often override previous conflicts. He notes that the tone in Austrian politics has become more aggressive, mirroring trends seen in other countries. Filzmaier also highlights the ideological implications of the FPÖ’s alignment with illiberal principles exemplified by Viktor Orbán.