There is a sharp debate in Austria over President Alexander Van der Bellen's decision to hand the mandate to form a new government to Karl Nehhammer of the People's Party (OVP) instead of the leader of the Free Party of Austria, Herbert Kickl, even though his FPO won the most votes in the election. The decision sparked widespread condemnation among FPO supporters and raised questions about the country's democratic principles.

In protest, Mario Widek from Gumpoldskirchen started an online petition, calling on President Van der Bellen to "resign immediately". In just nine days, the petition received support from more than 74.000 people, indicating growing discontent among FPO voters. Videk accused the president of "acting undemocratically", stressing that according to established tradition, preference should have been given to the party that won the most votes in the parliamentary elections.

- The president should respect the will of the people - claims Videk, adding that such a decision could have far-reaching consequences for political stability in Austria.

Many analysts believe that such criticism could lead to increased polarization in Austrian society, which is already facing challenges such as immigration and economic pressures.

Given that the next regular presidential election is scheduled for 2028 and Van der Bellen cannot run again, it remains to be seen how the ongoing tensions will affect his administration until then. Many wonder if the resignation petition will cause political or legal changes and lead to even stronger public reactions.

As the debate continues, it is clear that awarding a mandate to the party that did not win the election is becoming a key issue that could shape Austria's political future. The petition for the resignation of President Van der Bellen can be considered serious, especially considering the number of signatories (more than 74.000 in a short period), which shows significant dissatisfaction of a part of the electorate. The petition itself, however, cannot directly lead to a change of president, because in Austria the process of replacing the head of state is legally defined and requires much more than collecting signatures.

It is important to note that in Austria, the President can only be removed by the National Assembly, which requires specific legal procedures and serious reasons, such as violations of laws or duties. A petition can influence public awareness and create pressure on politicians, but formal change requires much more. This situation may lead to a strengthening of the opposition or changes in the political landscape in Austria, but it is important to emphasize that the petition itself is only a first step towards this.